Hello, I need help putting together a trading system. Does anyone have an ideas? Desktop or laptop? Thanks, John
there are a lot of threads on this specific forum (hardware) dealing with that... desktop vs. laptop has to do more with your trading style... my recommendation? write a list of requirements and then go from there.
Idea? Many. here is the deal - you need something you are comfortable with. Matching your trading style. SOme people trade while travelling. SOme want many monitors. Laptops are a bad deal unless you need them. Propietary, hard to expand, batteries that just cost and provdie no benefit when linked to stationary set of screens. I always would go for a small desktop - Micro-ATX level case, either a cube or a small micro-atx tower. Use it to run up to 12 monitors - easy to do these days with stock graphics cards - per computer (anything more - and up to 6x6 are possible - require larger motherboards and sometimes possible cases and pci-e extender cables). Really, this is like "I want food, what is going to taste good" as a question - very subjective.
It depends entirely on what you plan to do with your trading. I invested in an expensive workstation and two 22", but since I have a semi-mobile lifestyle, I ended up regretting not buying a high-end laptop/portable workstation instead, since that would cover my simple needs. Based on what you're writing, I have a hunch that you can go with something simple. 10 screens and multiple desktops does not make you a better trader.
I personally would never go with a laptop for stuff like that, but there are nice mobile workstation cases with up to 3 monitors included. You basically fold the monitors and store the power cable and are done. Check something like this: http://www.chassis-plans.com/rugged-portable-lunchbox-computer/mp3x17-3lcd-portable-computer.html If you prefer it larger - 1920x1080 in 21.5" - then there is: http://www.ariesys.com.tw/3-Screen portable workstation/ARP693.htm Setup / Teardown time is less than 3 minutes, seriously And you can put in standard components. If one insists on using a laptop for trading, I would at least get a SpaceBook: http://www.gscreenlaptop.com/
I have been living a semi-mobile life myself before deciding to go trading full time, though in my case it meant working months at a time at a customer location - so I moved real monitors. But I really contemplated getting some of those multi screen rugged cases