I trade comfortably off a dell laptop ($190 Walmart + $35 for extra RAM) and an additional monitor I bought off CL for $20. i suppose I could add a third screen for another $20 or 30....
Yeah, just make sure you've got a spare "arm and a leg" to pay for it. I did a test configuration vs a Precision T5810. Was able to match features except for 16GB RAM and 1200W PSU on the Puget vs. 8GB RAM and 685W PSU on the Dell, so there was a little difference. Puget price, $2797. Dell ~$1129 regular price but can likely be had for $850 or $650 if patient.
You can build a powerful PC with an AMD Phenom II X4 965 for about $200 (excl. monitors) that would burn through just about anything trading related.
Desktop http://www.avadirect.com (Gamer & some workstation, no multi-monitor, lots of parts options) http://www.blueaurapc.com/ (Trading & gamer PCs, i7CPUs not Xeon, no RAID, excellent parts photos + product advice and information) http://www.customtradingcomputers.com/ (trader PC & multimonitor, i7 CPU not Xeon,) http://www.digitaltigers.com (Excellent product and parts information, corp/gov’t supplier) http://www.elitetradingcomputers.com/multi-monitor-computers.asp (Affiliate site of Digital Tigers, for financial industry. Parts are lower performance and older. Seems to be an outlet for Digital Tigers old stock.) http://www.endpcnoise.com/ (few trading PC configurations, but quiet PC parts.) http://eztradingcomputers.net (i7 and Xeon builds. No parts menus. Builder says he is a trader.) http://www.falcontradingsystems.com/ (aka tradingcomputers.com) (i7 CPUs not Xeon) http://www.finege.com/products/ (workstations, not trader specific) http://www.ibuypower.com/ (For gamer and workstation PCs; not trading specific) http://www.mpxpc.com/ (Good multi-monitor systems) http://www.multi-monitors.com/ (Extensive multi-monitor products and solutions) http://www.multiplemonitors.co.uk/ (UK location) http://www.naplestech.com/ (Extensive multi-monitor products, solutions, & knowledge.) http://www.orbitalcomputers.com/ (Good multi-monitor systems) http://www.pugetsystems.com/configure.php (High quality, high dollar systems) http://sonatatradingcomputers.com/ (One computer w/ options, focus on quiet, good price) http://www.thinkmate.com/ (High-end workstations, servers, and other business solutions) http://www.titanuscomputers.com (Good Xeon workstation and gaming PCs, lots of options) http://www.tradingcomputers.com (see www.falcontradingsystems.com) http://tradingcomputersnow.com/ (see www.eztradingcomputers.net) Laptop http://www.customtradingcomputers.com/trading-laptops.php http://www.digitaltigers.com/trading-computers.asp http://eztradingcomputers.net/laptop-trading-computers/ http://www.ibuypower.com/Site/Laptop http://www.naplestech.com/shopcart/quadstation_traveler.asp (ASUS w/ 3 monitors in suitcase) http://www.pugetsystems.com/laptop.php http://www.tradinglaptops.com/ (customtradingcomputers.com) http://www.tradingcomputers.com/TClaptop.html (FalconTradingSystems.com)