When it comes to finding the best laptop for trading, understanding the unique needs and preferences of traders is essential. As an avid follower of financial markets and trading communities, I am well aware of the importance of a reliable and high-performance laptop for executing trades, analyzing charts, and keeping up with the latest market news. From participating in trading forums to watching the most popular trading streams on Twitch, I have gained valuable insights into the features traders look for in their ideal laptop.
In my quest to find the best laptop for trading, I have thoroughly examined an extensive laptop spreadsheet of recent releases, comparing specs and user-generated and professional reviews alike. My selection process focuses on the top laptops that meet the specific requirements of traders, such as powerful processing capabilities, sufficient RAM, multiple monitor support, and long-lasting battery life – all within varying price ranges.
Whether you are a day trader, swing trader, or long-term investor, the best laptop for trading will ensure seamless multitasking, quick access to trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 and Thinkorswim, and a crystal-clear display for reading intricate charts and graphs. While your personal trading style may influence your laptop requirements, this guide aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations to help you make the most informed decision on the perfect laptop for your trading activities.
Processor Power
laptops
As the laptop market has evolved over the past few years, it's become increasingly important to consider the right processor when looking for a laptop to use for trading stocks. The right processor is critical, as it can be the difference between success and failure in a competitive market.
Traders use a wide range of applications, from stock trading platforms to web browsers and video editors. As such, you'll want a laptop with plenty of power to handle the load, and the CPU is the most important component in any trading laptop. However, it's not the only one – the graphics card and RAM are also critical, and should be prioritized after the CPU, especially if you're using a dedicated GPU for trading stocks.
Apple has released MacBooks with their own ARM-based M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M2 system-on-chip modules. They offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life, but are not suitable for trading due to the closed nature of macOS. Similarly, while workstations are great for gaming and professional content creation, they aren't recommended for trading due to their hefty price tag and lack of portability.
Intel's 12th generation and AMD's 6th generation CPUs are currently the best options in terms of raw performance, thermals and power consumption. Intel's silicon chips have adopted a hybrid performance/efficiency core design, based on big.LITTLE technology, and AMD's Ryzen models offer good battery life in a PC laptop.
To help you decide on the right processor for trading, I've put together a table of recommended processors by price range:
| Price Range | Processor Model |
|---|---|
| Budget | i5-10500H |
| Recommended | i5-11400H |
| High-end | i9-11900H |
Graphics Power
laptops
In the laptop GPU market, Nvidia continues to dominate. Their latest notebook cards are in RTX 30 series such as RTX 3070 Ti, and they recently released a few RTX 40 series cards, although these are not yet available on laptops (expected in 2023). Unfortunately, Nvidia has discontinued the Max-Q label for its RTX graphics cards, meaning an exact GPU wattage is now determined by a laptop manufacturer (OEM). This results in a wide variance in graphics performance even in laptops with the same GPU chipset.
If you're looking for a MacBook for trading, there's no need to get a dedicated GPU – and a dedicated GPU is not strictly necessary for trading either, although it can be helpful if you're using machine learning models or doing any kind of data science work.
When comparing different graphics cards, I use 3DMark scores because they're a good proxy for real-world gaming performance. Nvidia's graphics card naming convention is pretty straightforward – the higher the series, the more powerful the card. An "M" in front of an "XT" suffix on a card indicates a more powerful version of the chip (but it's not as efficient). And keep in mind that if you're looking for a high-end gaming laptop, expect it to be on the heavy side due to all those components packed inside it.
In terms of what I recommend when it comes to graphics cards for trading laptops, here's a breakdown of the best options at various budgets:
Minimum
- GeForce GTX 1650
Recommended
- GeForce RTX 3050
High-end
- GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
Upgrading RAM
When it comes to laptops for trading, the most important hardware component to consider is the RAM. This is because trading requires a lot of multitasking and memory intensive applications such as data analysis, trading platforms, and large trading databases. Fortunately, RAM is a relatively simple component to understand. You just need enough to ensure that your system can handle the load you're putting on it.
Most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM and high-end – 32 GB or more. Latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support DDR4 and DDR5, though DDR5 is still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology.
The minimum RAM recommendation for trading laptops is 8 GB, however, if you're looking for a mid-range laptop, I'd recommend going with 16 GB as a safe bet. For high-end laptops, you'll want to look for at least 32 GB. DDR5 vs DDR4 – there's no reason to get DDR5 unless you're going for a high-end laptop. If you're looking for an entry-level or mid-range laptop, go with DDR4 since it's nearly as fast and costs less.
Finally, some laptops come with soldered RAM modules, so upgrading them is not an option if you need more than the stock amount. However, some laptops allow for upgradeable memory modules, which is always preferable if possible.
Below is an overview of what to expect at each price bracket:
Budget Laptops (under $500)
- 8GB RAM
- DDR4
Mid-Range Laptops ($500-$1,000)
- 16GB RAM
- DDR4/DDR5
High-End Laptops ($1,000+)
- 32GB RAM or more
- DDR5
FAQ
What is the best laptop for trading?
Choosing the best laptop for trading depends on your budget and needs. A laptop with a minimum of 8GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and an Intel i5-10500H processor is suitable for most day traders. For the maximum performance, we recommend laptops with 32GB RAM, a GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and an Intel i9-11900H processor.
What laptop specs do I need for trading?
For trading, you need at least 8GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and an Intel i5-10500H processor. These specs are suitable for most day traders. If you're looking for maximum performance, 32GB RAM, a GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and an Intel i9-11900H processor should do the trick.
How to choose a laptop for trading?
Choosing a laptop for trading is all about finding the right balance between your budget and needs. Start by assessing the amount of RAM and graphics card you need, and then choose a processor that meets your requirements. Refer to our recommendations table to get a better idea of what's available in the market.
What laptop is best for day trading?
Day traders typically require a laptop with a minimum of 8GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and an Intel i5-10500H processor. The ASUS Zenbook 13 UX325EA-EH71 is our recommendation in this price range. For maximum performance, we recommend laptops with 32GB RAM, a GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and an Intel i9-11900H processor.
Does a laptop need a GPU for trading?
While it's not necessary to have a dedicated GPU for trading, having one will ensure smooth performance. We recommend laptops with at least a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card for the minimum setup, and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti for maximum performance.
What laptop do traders use?
It all depends on their budget and needs. Most traders will opt for a laptop with a minimum of 8GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and an Intel i5-10500H processor. If you have the budget for it, laptops with 32GB RAM, a GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and an Intel i9-11900H processor can provide the maximum performance.
Is Ryzen 5 good enough for trading?
While Ryzen 5 processors are suitable for trading, they are not as powerful as Intel processors. We recommend at least an Intel i5-10500H processor for the minimum setup, and an Intel i9-11900H processor for maximum performance.
What's the best laptop for stock trading?
The best laptop for stock trading should have at least 8GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and an Intel i5-10500H processor. For the maximum performance, we recommend laptops with 32GB RAM, a GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, and an Intel i9-11900H processor.
Can a laptop be used for trading stocks?
Absolutely! You just need to make sure that the laptop you choose meets the minimum system requirements. We recommend laptops with at least 8GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, and an Intel i5-10500H processor for most day traders.
Is 500 GB SSD enough for trading?
500 GB SSD should be enough for most day traders. However, it is recommended to have at least 1 TB SSD if you plan to install more applications or store more data.
6 Best Laptops for Trading
1.HP Victus 15 I
The HP Victus 15 I offers budget-friendly gaming, but at the cost of some features.- Strong entry-level gaming
- Solid productivity performance
- Inexpensive for a gaming laptop
- Display and webcam could be better
- Too much preinstalled software
Summary
The HP Victus 15 I delivers impressive budget gaming and solid productivity performance, though sacrifices have been made to achieve its affordable price tag. The laptop's display and webcam are lacking, and it comes with too much preinstalled software.
Alternatives
MSI GF63 Thin
- Inexpensive
- Powerful Intel Core i5 CPU
- Limited gaming performance
- Dull screen
$7002.Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16
Trading laptop- Exceptional processor (Ryzen 9 6900HX)
- Exceptional graphics card (RTX 3070 Ti)
- Terrific display (16)
- Terrific memory amount (64GB)
- Bulky (5.48 lbs)
- No IPS Panel (worse contrast)
Alternatives
HP Victus 15
- Affordable price
- Good gaming performance
- Poor battery life
- Unimpressive design
3.ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74
ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74 is a solid choice for traders looking for a powerful laptop.- Faster than most other GeForce RTX 3060 laptops
- 300 Hz IPS panel w full sRGB coverage
- 2x SODIMM, 2x M.2 PCIe4 x4
- MUX switch
- Chassis base and lid exhibit some flexing
- Shorter WLAN runtimes
- No USB-C Power Delivery
Summary
The ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74 is a great choice for traders with its 140 W TGP GeForce RTX 3060, 300 Hz IPS panel w/ full sRGB coverage, and MUX switch, but the chassis exhibits some flexing, the WLAN runtimes are shorter, and there's no USB-C Power Delivery.
Reviews
Alternatives
Dell G15
- High CPU and GPU performance
- Excellent battery life
- Dark display poor in contrast
- Low color space coverage
4.ASUS ROG Strix Scar
ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15: Ideal for trading with a few caveats- Fast Wi-Fi 6E
- Excellent response times and no PWM
- Wide color gamut coverage with Dolby Vision support
- Unhindered Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti performance
- Limited display angle
- High heat and noise emissions under load
- Battery backup could have been better
Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 G533 laptop is an excellent choice for trading enthusiasts, thanks to its powerful Core i9-12900H and RTX 3070 Ti, fast Wi-Fi 6E, and Dolby Vision support. However, the laptop comes with some drawbacks such as limited viewing angles and high heat and noise emissions.
Reviews
Alternatives
$2,500Dell XPS 17 9720
- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
$3,4705.HP Omen 17
HP Omen 17 is a high-end gaming laptop with powerful features.- QHD display with 165 Hz refresh rate
- Advanced Optimus
- Expandable working memory
- High noise level
- Clattery case
- Meager battery life
Summary
HP Omen 17 is a high-end gaming laptop that offers a powerful QHD display with a refresh rate of 165 Hz, advanced Optimus, and expandable working memory. However, it has a high noise level, a clattery case, and meager battery life.
Reviews
Alternatives
MSI Titan GT77 12UHS-064
- Bright and high-quality 4K display
- Sturdy and well-built chassis
- Expensive price point
- Heavy and bulky
6.Dell XPS 17 9720
Dell XPS 17 9720: Great Display, Weak Cooling.- Excellent 4K display with AdobeRGB
- High-quality case
- Thunderbolt 4 PCIe 4.0
- Very high system performance
- Lower graphics performance than the predecessor
- Performance not completely stable under combined load
- Not Wi-Fi 6E compatible
- 720p webcam
Summary
Dell XPS 17 9720 offers an outstanding 4K display with AdobeRGB and good speakers. The laptop has very high system performance with Thunderbolt 4 & PCIe 4.0, but the graphics performance is lower than its predecessor and the cooling is not up to the mark.
Reviews
Alternatives
MSI Titan GT77
- Powerful CPU and GPU performance
- Bright 4K display with good color coverage
- Extremely pricey
- High heat and noise emissions
Table of the Best Laptops for Trading
| Laptop | Price (approx) |
| HP Victus 15 I | $600 |
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16 | $700 |
| ASUS TUF F15 FX507ZM-ES74 | $1,300 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Scar | $2,310 |
| HP Omen 17 | $3,470 |
| Dell XPS 17 9720 | $5,600 |
