Need advice for new trading laptop

Quote from Trader13:

A large laptop like this one is considered a desktop replacement because it has a large screen and keyboard. The tradeoff is that it is bulkier and heavier, but that's OK if you don't move it around too often.

Sir you speak the truth, I went to CompUSA yesterday to look at that ASUS and boy is it heavy. Although, the good news is if I did buy it I'd be able to cancel my gym membership:)
 
Quote from Tom B:

This Dell XPS looks like it would meet your needs. You can upgrade to an i7 for additional $$. The link below has the coupon code and link to Dell.

XPS 17, Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64-Bit, English Unit Price $1,159.99
Limited Time Offer - Free upgrade to 6GB memory!
Expires Sunday, January 01, 2012
- $60.00

$150 off XPS 17 laptop with coupon
Expires Wednesday, November 30, 2011
- $150.00


Catalog Number: 29 DNDOKQ1
Module Description Show Details
XPS 17 XPS 17
Operating System Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64-Bit

Processor 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i5-2430M processor 2.40 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.00 GHz

Memory 6GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory

Keyboard Standard Keyboard

LCD 17.3" FHD (1080p) with 2.0MP HD Webcam

Video Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 550M 1GB graphics with Optimus

Hard Drive 500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive

Elemental Silver Aluminum

Integrated Network Adapter Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card

Tray Load Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)

JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3

Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000

56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Hardware Support Services 1 Year Basic Support

DataSafe 2.0 Online Backup 2GB for 1 year

TOTAL: $949.99

http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/274807

Thanks for the link Tom this may be the laptop I need. That ASUS was nice but way too heavy to travel with.
 
Quote from Trader13:

Problems with computers are often thermal related, so this consideration is a tradeoff between speed and reliability.


Open up a Dell sometime. They are a joke. Asus spends more time and money researching heat dissipation than Dell does on marketing. OP's stated requirements at the opening may be more than he needs. In that case he should re-evaluate his needs. If screen resolution is truly a need and not a want then the Asus, it should be noted has a removable video card vs on board video on the Dell. Not many laptops out there that spend the money engineering it this way anymore. Dell did at one time.
 
Quote from OnClose:

Hey everyone, I'm currently in the market for a new trading laptop but with all the choices out there it's a little overwhelming. So I'm reaching out to all for a little help and with Black Friday on the way I need to decide pretty soon. Before you can help me you obviously need to know a little about my trading and my "wants" for a new laptop...so here it goes.

Trading style : Swing
Hold times : 2 weeks - 2 months
Trades per day: 0- 20
Broker : IB
Software : eSignal

Laptop "wants"
Screen Size : 17"
Resolution : 1920 x 1080
Processor : i5- i7??
Memory : 4- 6 GB??
Blu-ray : Not mandatory but would be nice
HDMI port : Not mandatory but would be nice
Price : Under $1200 if possible

Thanks to everyone in advance and I look forward to all the help. Also if I need to provide any other info just ask.


I have had Dell/HP/Samsung laptops, servers and desktops. I guess going back to 1997.

Hands down this company is way better. All important areas, components, build, customer service, warranties.

Look around the site a bit. Maybe a bit pricier than "costco".

BUt should treat trading like any other business. A surgeon uses a 40k laser scalpel, not a buckknife from walmart. Take it serious.

http://www.digitaltigers.com/

EF
 
Quote from Eddiefl:

I have had Dell/HP/Samsung laptops, servers and desktops. I guess going back to 1997.

Hands down this company is way better. All important areas, components, build, customer service, warranties.

Look around the site a bit. Maybe a bit pricier than "costco".

BUt should treat trading like any other business. A surgeon uses a 40k laser scalpel, not a buckknife from walmart. Take it serious.

http://www.digitaltigers.com/

EF

give me the cheapest new laptop money can buy and I will still be profitable

hey, I'm all for buying quality stuff but the best screens or laptop isn't going to give you good entries
 
Quote from traderslair:

give me the cheapest new laptop money can buy and I will still be profitable

hey, I'm all for buying quality stuff but the best screens or laptop isn't going to give you good entries
You make a fair point that success in trading is ultimately a result of talent and not technology. But technology is an enabler and should not be dismissed as "any computer will do". If you need to run backtesting on a large data set, then your computer hardware specs need to support this with a 64-bit OS and sufficient memory. If your execution approach is to automate your system, then your hardware, network, and power specs need to be fault tolerant for high availability. So there are specific factors to consider when choosing a trading computer, and these discussions make this forum worthwhile.
 
Quote from Trader13:

A large laptop like this one is considered a desktop replacement because it has a large screen and keyboard. The tradeoff is that it is bulkier and heavier, but that's OK if you don't move it around too often.

I like a lighted keyboard. The description doesn't say this keyboard is lighted, but one of the feedback comments below the description suggests that it is indeed lighted.

The i7 CPU is fast, but also runs very hot. I would choose a slower processor that generates less heat. Problems with computers are often thermal related, so this consideration is a tradeoff between speed and reliability.

Note that it has a numeric keypad on the right side. This means that the middle of the screen is not centered with the main set of alpha keys on the keyboard. You can see this on the photos. I don't like that at all, since I generally sit centered on the alpha keys and that puts my eyes on the left side of the screen instead of the middle. You don't appreciate how annoying this is until you do it. So I prefer a keyboard without the numeric keypad, but that's difficult to find in the larger laptops which usually have the numeric keypad.

The warranty may require you to mail it to a service center for repair. By contrast, Dell offers an onsite warranty and they will come to your home.

Other than these points, this is a nice rig. The Asus brand has a reputation for high reliability.

Who cares about heat. Also battery life is the same unless you're running intensive graphics, or encoding video. CPU's do not drain batteries, GPU's do.

Do NOT get a slow processor, especially at just $1.1k.

I also don't understand your beef with the keyboard. A numeric keypad is perfect for trading, and 'off centerness' isn't such an issue.

It's also not a desktop replacement, beyond a silly single monitor desktop. I don't think you'll mind the size very much... I keep my large laptop (smaller size, about the same weight) in a small backpack most of the time.


Good luck with your purchase. I don't think you'll find a better deal than that ASUS, especially considering ASUS is a tier one brand.
 
Quote from GordonTheGekko:

Who cares about heat.
People who understand computer hardware reliability factors do. That's why computer data centers are thoughtfully designed to ensure proper cooling and air flow. Just Google "intel i7 high temperature issues" to learn more.

Do NOT get a slow processor...
I said to get a slower processor to avoid the thermal risk with the i7. I would go for the i7 on a desktop or server chassis with better cooling, but laptops are not as well ventilated.

I also don't understand your beef with the keyboard. A numeric keypad is perfect for trading, and 'off centerness' isn't such an issue.
You do understand my beef, which is that I don't want to be off-center with the screen. That's my preference. I'm funny that way.

It's also not a desktop replacement, beyond a silly single monitor desktop. I don't think you'll mind the size very much... I keep my large laptop (smaller size, about the same weight) in a small backpack most of the time.
You need to read this entire thread before responding to individual posts. The OP later replied that he/she agreed it is too big and heavy.
 
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