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Laptop or desktop trading?

  • #1
  • First Post: Jan 29, 2017 2:07pm Jan 29, 2017 2:07pm
Hi all,

Hope everyone's had a decent weekend.

A quick question around the hardware that you use to trade; I wanted to get a feel for the consensus on the forum --

Do you use a laptop or a desktop to trade?

If you use both, which do you use more and do you prefer to plan/research on one more than the other?

Cheers, Luzbay.
  • #2
  • Jan 29, 2017 2:34pm Jan 29, 2017 2:34pm
Quoting Luzbay
Hi all, Hope everyone's had a decent weekend. A quick question around the hardware that you use to trade; I wanted to get a feel for the consensus on the forum -- Do you use a laptop or a desktop to trade? If you use both, which do you use more and do you prefer to plan/research on one more than the other? Cheers, Luzbay.
I have laptop, for trading - no prob.
Only thing that can use more CPU is codes that process huge amount of data in short period of time -these codes are very hungry for CPU. But there shouldn't be problems if code is written well. In research depends the technique which you are using to get data(indicator) + data size.
Basically you can work with laptop and face no problems , but if you wan't you can push any PC to it's limits even desktop computers with newest parts.
Know thyself
  • #3
  • Jan 29, 2017 3:11pm Jan 29, 2017 3:11pm
Quoting fxanalysis
I have laptop, for trading - no prob. Only thing that can use more CPU is codes that process huge amount of data in short period of time -these codes are very hungry for CPU. But there shouldn't be problems if code is written well. In research depends the technique which you are using to get data(indicator) + data size. Basically you can work with laptop and face no problems , but if you wan't you can push any PC to it's limits even desktop computers with newest parts.
I'm the same right now. I use cTrader, which is extremely CPU/RAM intensive, but it handles it no problem. The fan gets a bit excited sometimes, though.

I am thinking of getting a desktop some time down the line, though.

Right now, I have my laptop hooked up to a 21.5 inch monitor, which does make analysis and planning a little easier. I suppose I have the best of both worlds for now, but I would like a more compact (and lighter!) laptop.

I was interested to see what everyone's set up was.

I personally see no need for screens galore with every pair under the sun on display.
  • #4
  • Jan 29, 2017 3:15pm Jan 29, 2017 3:15pm
Quoting Luzbay
{quote} I'm the same right now. I use cTrader, which is extremely CPU/RAM intensive, but it handles it no problem. The fan gets a bit excited sometimes, though. I am thinking of getting a desktop some time down the line, though. Right now, I have my laptop hooked up to a 21.5 inch monitor, which does make analysis and planning a little easier. I suppose I have the best of both worlds for now, but I would like a more compact (and lighter!) laptop. I was interested to see what everyone's set up was. I personally see no need for screens galore with...
I've also extended my screen with one more monitor, makes everything much easier.
Know thyself
  • #5
  • Jan 29, 2017 3:20pm Jan 29, 2017 3:20pm
I prefer laptop because the mobility, I can trade anywhere. MT4 is not resource hungry. Laptop is enough. At home I just use 2 extended monitor and plug to my laptop
Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.
  • #6
  • Jan 29, 2017 5:13pm Jan 29, 2017 5:13pm
Laptop.
"You may say I am a dreamer .... but I am not the only one."
  • #7
  • Jan 29, 2017 5:41pm Jan 29, 2017 5:41pm
I'm sharing an office with some other traders since a few weeks now. No one here uses a laptop (at least not as main trading computer, some do as a backup). The main benefit of using a desktop is multi screen setups and the freedom you gain when arranging your screens.

Of course you can connect 2 screens to your laptop, but the resolution is limited and some laptops are more prone to overheating in such setups. Some people prefer their screens in portrait mode or two ultra wide screens on top of each other or ... well, the type of setups you see is endless.

I have no gain from using a laptop but a desktop and a good quality monitor stand to arrange my screens, to have all of them at the same height is a clear winner in terms of work quality.
  • #8
  • Jan 29, 2017 9:16pm Jan 29, 2017 9:16pm
I trade on my iphone
You came here for the truth and let me unveil it for you
  • #9
  • Jan 29, 2017 9:21pm Jan 29, 2017 9:21pm
Quoting Luzbay
Hi all, Hope everyone's had a decent weekend. A quick question around the hardware that you use to trade; I wanted to get a feel for the consensus on the forum -- Do you use a laptop or a desktop to trade? If you use both, which do you use more and do you prefer to plan/research on one more than the other? Cheers, Luzbay.
iPad and Phone. Oanda. Good luck.
All the best to all of you. But don't follow me. I am a learner.
  • #10
  • Jan 29, 2017 10:01pm Jan 29, 2017 10:01pm
I assembled a desktop about 5 years ago with very few money, without trademark, I3 processor & 24 inches monitor & works very well with MT4, the resolution is great so i can have RSI, MAD, moving averages 5, 21 & 100 & Gann_Hi-lo_Activator. I prefer this PC than laptop because the keyword is bigger & i can see the angles of the indicators, i think angles are very important to predict the next price behavior. This PC is cheapest than the lap top & as a traders we shouldn't save money on our tools.
  • #11
  • Jan 30, 2017 4:39am Jan 30, 2017 4:39am
purely depend on trading style, for trades like me who uses 1 hour charts trading 3 pairs only, place a few trades a week, a laptop is more than enough.... plus as some mentioned MT4 is a light software, no need for a desktop.

but yeah if u do automated system or trading shorter time frames, getting multiple screens with a desktop is better.

having the mobility can be bad for trading for some if they find themselves checking a trade every minute.
  • #12
  • Jan 30, 2017 11:02am Jan 30, 2017 11:02am
I believe that it is better to do Desktop trading, but to have laptop is good if you wanna travel and trade, thus both are useful in their own ways.
  • #13
  • Jan 30, 2017 11:13am Jan 30, 2017 11:13am
Quoting Luzbay
Do you use a laptop or a desktop to trade?
Desktop with 2 x screens.

I'm happy to trade on a laptop but would limit the amount of pairs because personal preference is to assign at least 1 x entire screen to a single pair.
  • #14
  • Feb 1, 2017 6:09am Feb 1, 2017 6:09am
Quoting Luzbay
Hi all, Hope everyone's had a decent weekend. A quick question around the hardware that you use to trade; I wanted to get a feel for the consensus on the forum -- Do you use a laptop or a desktop to trade? If you use both, which do you use more and do you prefer to plan/research on one more than the other? Cheers, Luzbay.
I use laptop, why; because it is mobile and when there is no power I can still work with it. It is by far the best for the business in my opinion.
  • #15
  • Feb 1, 2017 9:30am Feb 1, 2017 9:30am
I prefer to have a bigger screen in front of me. It helps me get a better view of the bigger picture. But I also use a lap top when I am on the go.
  • #16
  • Feb 1, 2017 9:47pm Feb 1, 2017 9:47pm
I refer to several correlated pairs to confirm my trades. As a result, I prefer to see all charts simultaneously instead of continuously changing the charts. I am currently using 3 screens.
  • #17
  • Feb 3, 2017 1:15pm Feb 3, 2017 1:15pm
I prefer laptop! Because, I can move this device at anywhere including my bed, so its flexible to use! But, I dont think PC is impossible! Of course, you can use desktop! But till now I am comfortable with my laptop!
  • #18
  • Feb 4, 2017 3:16am Feb 4, 2017 3:16am
Quoting faisal13
I prefer laptop! Because, I can move this device at anywhere including my bed, so its flexible to use! But, I dont think PC is impossible! Of course, you can use desktop! But till now I am comfortable with my laptop!
Agree.
---
Dissipation of electricity : the electricity bill : vanishing of money !!!
(Laptop pc wins.)

But a desktop pc with a better monitor for charting is a normal environment for me.
(some software : image-editor program are not working with windows10 so still use windows vista for charting only.)
  • #19
  • Feb 4, 2017 6:47am Feb 4, 2017 6:47am
I prefer a desktop, largely because of the monitor size. The larger the monitor, the clearer the chart, as far as I am concerned.
  • #20
  • Feb 4, 2017 6:54am Feb 4, 2017 6:54am
Isn't this up to your trading style? If you trade higher TFs and don't use many indicators, perhaps minimum hardwares such as laptop suit you. If opposite, you may want 6-9 monitors with powerful desktop.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
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