Home Trading Computers: Traders' Workstations Around the World

Updated: December 18, 2018

If you're a trader, you know how important a trader’s workstation is when it comes to focus and overall productivity. Do you ever wonder how others organize their trading desks? We did, so we asked for traders to share photos of their setups. From multiple monitors to creative home trading computer furniture, we saw it all.

Here are a few tips for maximizing your own home trading computer environment, whether you are a day trader, swing trader or self-directed active investor:

1. Match your monitor setup to your trading style
   Many traders like to have multiple monitors - one commenter said, “you can never have too many screens” - in order to track several tickers or compare correlated and non-correlated information such as the performance of the same stock over different time periods. But we were surprised by the number of people who trade with a single screen or a laptop. “I believe in simplicity and portability,” one of these less-is-more advocates explained.
2. Be sure you have a fast, rock-solid Internet connection
   Nobody wants to lose a trade because the data takes too long to load, or the connection goes dark at the worst possible time. Until recently we recommended a wired Ethernet link, but the reliability of wireless has improved significantly. If available, consider paying extra for a faster “turbo” speed from your provider.
3. Minimize distractions
   If you trade from a home office, ideally it is in a separate room that is insulated from the daily activities of other family members. Set a regular schedule for trading each day, or week, or month and let others know you will not be available during that time. When trading time comes, turn off your cell phone and close the door so you can concentrate on finding low-risk, high potential opportunities using the patent-pending trading strategy taught at Online Trading Academy.
4. Be comfortable
   One trader sent a picture of himself trading as he kneels on an exercise ball. Another says his setup has a lived-in look because “I live in that chair”.  You may have a state-of-the-art ergonomic chair or a beloved and well-used office chair, or you may even like to trade standing up. Just as everyone has their own trading style, you know better than anyone else how to put yourself at ease so you can concentrate on your trading or investing.

We'd love to see your trading workspace!

You may get some great ideas for setting up your ideal trading desk by checking out some of the impressive traders’ workstation photos we received. Here are home trading computer setups from traders and investors around the world:

• Charles Lewis

  

• Ryan Herron

  

  My humble desk.

• Donald B. Cummings, Jr.

  Website

  

  I trade mostly cash bonds so I have a few different feeds because there are very few centralized markets for corporates or munis. Good transparency, but very little centralized trading. I can also survive on a more minimalist system, which was my office setup in Buenos Aires this past January. One laptop and one iPad. When the polar vortex hit Illinois, I got out of town for a month. Next remote location? Probably Paris.

• Tony G.

  

  4 monitors, 4 Brokers, 4 commodity pairs

• Hugh Kimura

  Website | Twitter

  

  I believe in simplicity and portability. I like my external monitor when I am at home, but my laptop alone suits me fine.

• Remzi Bajrami

  Website | Twitter

  

  With a focus on day trading stocks, I like to keep things simple. Here is my 2 iMac setup (a 27" and 24"). I can easily trade for just one laptop or up to 3 computers; more is probably too much.

• Richard

  Website | Twitter

  

  Understanding the bigger picture - Less is more with one or two monitors!

• Alan Farley

  Website | Twitter

  

  My workstation is beat up from 15+ years of market madness. It has that "lived in" look because I live in that chair. Also notice how few charts I watch, despite my reputation as a chart guy.

• Phillip Ruffolo

  

  High in the Andes Mountains of Central Ecuador. Twin 24-inch monitors on a dedicated trading computer, a third monitor shared through a KVM with 2 laptops and a desktop each with their own purpose and network.

• Gordon Eckler

  Twitter

  

  I used to sit in front of a huge array of monitors and then read reports about the diminishing returns of more than 2 monitors. So much of my trading has become automated and co-located, I really only need one screen and a remote desktop connection.

• Charles Kirk

  Website | Twitter

  

  Charles E. Kirk has been investing and trading for over 20 years.

• John Carter

  Website | Twitter

  

  

  The trading desks of John Carter.

• Hrishikesh Prabhavalkar

  

  Learning the ongoing process of the Art of Making Money

• Marcello Arrambide

  Website | Twitter

  

  Marcello uses just one laptop to day trade and travel around the world. This was his office for 6 months in Rio De Janeiro overlooking the sugar loaf mountain.

• Brian Lund

  Website | Twitter

  

  Ever hear of "do what I say, not as I do?" Well this setup is a great representation of that. The FEWER screens you can use in your trading the better. I just got in the habit of having multiple screens before I knew what I was doing, and now I am stuck with them, but simpler is always better.

• Blain Reinkensmeyer

  Website | Twitter

  

  When not blogging or reviewing financial products, you'll find Blain monitoring the market action with his triple 24" LED monitor trading rig. In Blain's eyes: "You can never have enough screens. I am currently aching to buy three more to serve as a second row."

• Neil Davis

  

  Neil says: "Basic in comparison, but I enjoy the view."

• Keith Hetherington

  

  From Keith: "2 traders, 3 computers, 20 monitors."

• Joseph Meth

  Website | Twitter

  

  Joseph says: "Messy but trying to follow the "K.I.S.S." principal...Simple but it works for trading and writing blog posts."

• Joann Farley

  Website

  

  From Joann: "Three computers… yes I drive a mouse with both left hand and right!"

• Debbie Hague

  Website | Twitter

  

  Debbie calls her trading desk "The Pirate's Helm." She means business!

• Dan Sugar

  Website

  

  Dan has several years experience as a floor trader but decided to change paths and began trading Stocks, Futures, Options and Forex Currencies from the screen. Here's where the trading happens.

• Merlin Rothfeld

  Website | Twitter

  

  Here's Merlin at one of the trading setups at the Online Trading Academy corporate office. Merlin says: "It's very fun to work with! Especially with the virtual labs!"

• Louise Carr

  Website

  

  Louise's trading desk is sleek and organized. She says trading has given her the ability to enjoy life without being tied down to a full-time corporate day job.

• Steve Bobbitt

  Website

  

  In regards to his trading desk and life in general, Steve says: "Why be normal? Think differently!"

• Tillie Allison

  Website

  

  Laptop, tablet, multiple monitors… Tillie is covering all the bases! When she's not teaching courses at Online Trading Academy, here is her home trading desk setup.