Which computer to choose for a broker and trader in 2020?
What do you think every trader or broker needs to trade successfully?
If you say that this is a head and everything in it, then a separate “Bravo” for your answer, but today we want to talk about the technical side of the issue.
How fast is your computer, does it freeze periodically? Are the schedules lagging? Are there delays in bids? How accurately do they work? And in general, what is the best way to trade – on a stationary computer or a laptop? What specific options are appropriate?
There are many questions – after all, you need the equipment to work all day without lags, sometimes with a second monitor and several terminals.
What parameters are important to you as a trader or broker?
1. Screen resolution
And it’s not even about putting as much information as possible on the screen. Lots of windows on a small screen is an insane eye strain, but that’s only part of the problem. The fact is that the larger the screen, the better (farther) you can see where the graph will go. And this already has a great effect on the outcome of each transaction and the entire trade in general.
Therefore, to make your trading comfortable, choose equipment with a screen of 17 inches and more.
2. Computer power and software performance
There are no special laptops for trading, but there is appropriate software, for example, metatrader 4 or metatrader 5, the performance of which directly depends on the price of the equipment. Therefore, here focus on your capabilities and trading style.
Many experienced traders or brokers write that tablets and MacBooks are quite capable of tracking and correcting transactions, but for constant and comfortable trading you still need a good laptop, or even better, a stationary computer.
Do not pay attention to messages from traders’ forums about the convenience of netbooks – they are no longer available.
As for the cost of buying a computer, this is an integral part of your trading costs, which must be optimized, but within reasonable limits. You can choose the middle price segment, so as not to be too cheap or overpay.
But at the same time, your computer simply must have a good supply of power. The elevator rule applies here – during testing, the technician must withstand a load that exceeds the norm by 8 times. Why, you ask? This is work with money, and not a little money. It is one thing to lose them out of your own stupidity, and another thing to lose them because of a frozen computer. Do you need it?
3. The state of the art must match your trading methods
For example, trading intraday with one screen is extremely inconvenient. In this case, you need 3-4 screens.
You can trade options or long-term on a MacBook if you install Windows, a Windows emulator or TradingView on it.
If you think about the future and how to put a trading robot over time, then keep in mind that they all work not on the server, but on the client! This means that after closing the laptop lid, your trading will stop, and you need a constantly running terminal to control the “remote monitor”.
Alternatively, you can use an old laptop (notebook PC) or a stationary computer with an uninterruptible power supply and an additional gadget – they can easily pull any terminal and will not be afraid of power outages.
4. The optimal number of monitors
In this matter, we must strive for the golden mean. Because on the one hand, more monitors means more information. On the other hand, there is more harm than good from an overabundance of information. Therefore, start with one or two, and then look at the situation.
Which is better – a computer or a laptop?
A stationary computer is a kind of office in which you can fully concentrate on the process of price movement. The laptop of many is somewhat relaxing due to the fact that it can be easily carried from place to place. Although you can trade in both.
The most important technical problem when trading on a laptop and a computer is the difference in the screen diagonal. The most convenient screen from the point of view of trading is 30 inches. And to it there are several monitors of 27 inches. On a stationary computer, you will have everything before your eyes. On a laptop, phone or tablet, the graphics on the screen do not fit in the volume that is needed for trading.
According to experienced traders and brokers, there is not much to see on modern laptops with 14, 15, 17 inch screens. This is critical because traders trade with their eyes. You need to be able to spot the action in time – where was the volume, spread, progress, result. On a small screen, this is almost impossible. Sometimes you can consider, but most likely, you will miss the most important thing.
When trading on a stationary computer, you are easily disciplined by the environment itself – a huge workspace allows you to squeeze and stretch pairs, it is easier to view levels on it. Typically, good traders choose a 19-inch laptop and attach another additional screen to view the full range of price movement.
There is no definite answer to the question – what to choose, a stationary computer or a laptop.
Many traders choose a laptop because it saves space, outperforms “big” computers in performance and has its own powerful battery.
When buying a computer, you will additionally need an uninterruptible power supply to protect yourself in the event of an unexpected power outage.
Let’s sum up
