I think I'm going with DELL so what is your advice on a computer for a very basic trader. I will use 4 monitors and run DAS trading platform. No algo or trading programs. Just want internet, DAS, chat rooms and maybe I will ad esignal. Need speakers.
Just one is fine (for non-trading purposes that is..). Remember, "Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's property [nor his margin trading/investing account]".
I am buikt one and using monitors I already had and shopping sales on newegg, i5 2500 powered machine is only running me under 500 you cant beat that. It is also my first ever build. Look here for inspiration http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=223072&perpage=6&pagenumber=1 I only (never browsing or anything on it) run X_Trader and my data feed/charting
Dell's Optiplex if you want single CPU and Precision if you want dual are amazing machines for the money. HP also has good stuff - I don't know that they have a factory outlet like Dell but their stuff is equally robust. Generally I look at HP and Dell as being interchangeable - except that in terms of cars, Dell offers the F150 with a max of a V6 whereas HP offers the F150 with a V8. (I like to buy the V6 cheap and do an upgrade) Important to note they offer the SAME CAR (or server/workstation). One just options out higher - HP usually has the same exact Dell equivalent except they offer it with more horsepower (out of the box/OEM). Don't waste your money on any of those firms saying they sell "trading computers".