Bloomberg and reuters dont serve much purpose to individual investors/traders. almost none really. for trading, any other retail platformis better.
I use both, but i am institutional.
My bloomberg is $1600 month
Reuters is about $1200...but there are different levels of subscription...it varies.
there is no significant advantage to either. it is a regional think as to which is better.
I am in latin america...and we are saturated with bloomberg, but reuters is bigger in europe. the information is the same, it is simply a matter of using what your network uses to stay in touch.
Bloomberg uses a proprietary keyboard...but both of them are software based. you dont need any other hardware. just download.
these platforms are great for OTC markets..bonds mainly. they are just institutional intranets to do busines with other institutions.