Sounds like a great idea! I love to grill year-round and starting early on a Fri afternoon is a good plan... Fri afternoon is usually chop central anyway. Here is my idea of what a usable outdoor bbq/trading patio area might look like. Just add a comfortable chair and a few laptops and you're in business. This is not my setup but I can see doing some serious bbq and trading in something like this in the future... just add beer!
Depends upon where you live. In AZ we have two solutions: ag screening and adjustable canopies. 65/35 screen works for laptops and the canopy always works. Since it is 111 here today, jumping in pool occasionally keeps clothing damp and with 10% humidity it is actually chilly when first out of the pool. Spritzers around the wet bar area and the corral area lower the temp about 25 degrees at midday when the markets are coming to close just before lunch.
I have been pleased with the AT&T Global connect card. I have been using it for about 4 months now with very consistent results and plenty of bandwidth (3G) for my trading and connectivity needs.
Having done a fair share of outdoor computing and trading, that laptop shade is actually a very good idea. One other issue is the light coming from the sides of the face. So a black hat or visor with a shade on the sides reduces eye stain a lot, while making you look like a freak. A black shirt also helps. FWIW, it's usually not worth the trouble unless you have a very large covered lanai/deck. But it can be fun for a change of pace. - EZ
Why do you people live there? Hot AND humid. No way I'd subject myself to that. Don't even get me started on bugs. Haven't seen a mosquito here in San Diego yet.