7 Best Computers for Trading Stocks in 2024 [Day Trading] (2024)

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Every second matters.

Trading is fast-paced and high-stakes. Sure, you need the best day trading broker and best charting platform, but you also need the best hardware.

After all, your computer is what enables you to trade, and you need one that can power your trading workflow.

Here are a few minimum requirements:

• RAM– You need a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, but 16GB is better.
• Processor– You need a processor with at least 4-6 cores (i5), but more is better (i7, i9, or M1)
• Hard Drive – Use an SSD with at least 250 GB storage.
• Displays – Again, more is better. If you’re going to be trading from a laptop (recommendation below), make sure you buy one with a large display.
• Battery Life – If you go with a laptop, it should have a minimum of 8 hours of battery life.

Best Stock Trading Computer: Laptop vs Desktop

Unless you’re traveling and know you need to trade on-the-go, I would pass on a laptop. Sure, they can power your setup, but a desktop is much more affordable for the specs you need.

That said, if budget isn’t a concern, I would strongly consider spec’ing out a laptop.

Here’s my list ofthe 7 best stock trading computers (I included the 3 best laptops for stock trading and the 4 best trading desktops).

My criteria were performance, reliability, and cost.

The 7 Best Computers for Trading Stocks

1. The Radical X13 EZ Trading Computer – The Best Stock Trading Computer Overall

My number 1 pick for the best stock trading computer is The Radical X13 EZ Trading Computer.

Price: $2,999 (through our link, normally $3,099)

Specs:

Use this link to secure several free upgrades AND take $100 off:

• RAM– 64 GB (normally 16 GB)
• Processor– Intel Core i9-13900KF, 24-core, liquid-cooling processor (normally 16-core)
• Hard Drive– 1 TB SSD (normally 500 GB)

EZ Trading computers are custom-built by day traders – they know the speed you need to be successful. After not finding the perfect computers for their workflows, they started building their own.

After the free upgrades and $100 discount you get by using our link, the Radical X13 is the obvious #1 choice of the best desktop computer for day trading.

The Radical X13 comes with a 5-year warranty, lifetime tech support, and the ability to display up to 4 monitors.

Through our link, this is the best trading computer money can buy.

2. Orbital Silenced x2000 – The 2nd Best Trading Computer

The only computer that comes close to rivaling the Radical X13 is the Orbital Silenced x2000.

Price: $2,611 (through our link, normally $2,711)

Specs:

Use this link and take $100 off. Here is my recommended configuration:

• RAM– 16 GB
• Processor– Intel Core i9-13900KF, 24-core
• Hard Drive– 480 GB SSD

Orbital is a company with a 10-year track record of manufacturing some of the highest-performance and customized computers for traders. The Orbital Silenced x2000 computer is the best it has to offer.

It is a fast, powerful desktop computer optimized for the lowest latency and represents the fastest possible configuration.

Moreover, you can customize and build the computer to your precise specifications. You can choose the case and CPU, CPU Cooler, RAM, sound card, video card, monitors, storage, network accessories, software, and more.

For almost $400 less than the Radical X13, the Orbital Silenced x2000 is ridiculously powerful and a great value.

3. Dell XPS 17 9700 – The Best Laptop for Stock Trading

When it comes to the best computers for trading stocks, Dell is a reputable brand name with power and quality. If you’re like me and still want some semblance of mobility and full-service strength, consider the Dell XPS 17 9700 (the 9415SLV-PUS model).

Price: $2,500

Specs:

• RAM– 32 GB
• Processor– Intel Core i9, 8-core
• Hard Drive– 1 TB SSD
• Display Size– ‎17 inches

The XPS 17 9700 is one of the best laptops Dell builds, which makes it one of the best laptops for stock trading. Not only does it have the raw power listed above, it also has outstanding battery life, a sleek display, a 17-inch screen, and a well-designed keyboard.

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4. 16” MacBook Pro– My Favorite Stock Trading Laptop

I’m an Apple guy, always have been.

Plus, I’m not a full-time trader – I have a job, do some design work, and occasionally edit photos and videos.

That’s why I trade on my 16” MacBook Pro. It’s fast, lightweight, and easy-to-use. Plus, I need the versatility of a laptop and the features of an iOS machine.

If you’re an Apple user and will be using your new computer for more than just trading, I’d recommend the base model 16” MacBook Pro.

Price: $2,500

Specs:

• RAM– 16 GB
• Processor– M1 Pro, 10-core
• Hard Drive– 512 GB SSD
• Display Size– ‎16 inches

Apple’s M1 chips have been outperforming Intel’s by wide margins – they’re fast and don’t overheat. The 16” MacBook Pro also has a 21-hour battery life, an area where Apple used to struggle.

Here’s the bottom line: If you want to trade on an iOS system, just buy this.

5. Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i (27” Intel) All In One – The Best Value Day Trading Computer

Lenovos are some of Windows’s most powerful, productive, and affordable computers. The Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i is a fast, best bang-for-your-buck trading computer.

Price: $1,000

Specs:

• RAM– 16 GB
• Processor– Intel Core i7, 6-core
• Hard Drive– 256 GB SSD
• Display Size– ‎27 inches

Since it’s an all-in-one, you don’t need to buy another monitor, though you may decide you need a second. It combines the mobility of a laptop with the affordable specs of a desktop.

At around $1,000, you’ll get a 27-inch touchscreen, up to a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 1TB hard drive, and up to 16 GB DDR4 – one of the best deals out there.

6. MSI GL65 Leopard 10SFK-062 – The Most Underrated Stock Trading Laptop

The MSI GP65 Leopard laptop may not have the name recognition of Dell or Apple, or the exclusive trading focus of EZ or Orbital, but it packs a punch. That’s why it’s our sleeper pick for the best stock trading computer.

Price:$2,743

Specs:

• RAM– 16 GB
• Processor– Intel Core i7, 6-core
• Hard Drive– 512 GB SSD
• Display Size– 15.6 inches

The MSI GP65 is best known as a gaming laptop, but gamers and traders are looking for the same thing: Performance.

Additionally, it’s quite a bit more durable than the other 2 laptops on this list – an important factor for those of us known for dropping things.

7. Dell Optiplex 790 (Refurbished) – The Best Budget Trading Computer

For our final pick, here’s a bonus value choice – a refurbished Dell Optiplex 790 bundle available exclusively on Amazon.

This bundle is on sale for a mere $177 and has everything you could ask for if you need a complete, budget-friendly setup.

Price: $177

Specs:

• RAM– 16 GB
• Processor– Intel Core i5, 4-core
• Hard Drive– 1 TB HDD
• Display Sizes– 2x 19-inch monitors

Who says you need to break the bank for one of the best computers for day trading?

The package comes with a 1 TB hard drive, 16 GB of memory, a fast Intel Core i5 processor, and dual 19-inch monitors. I haven’t found a better deal out there.

A word of warning: If you’re successful as a trader with this configuration, you will likely be looking to upgrade your setup in the near future.

Now that you’ve got your hardware, you need the best day trading platform.

Final Word: The Best Stock Trading Computers

You need hardware.

You need enough RAM, enough processor speed, and a large enough hard drive to power your day trading workflow.

To recap, my top 2 picks are:

1. The Radical X13
2. The Orbital Silenced x2000

While it’s cheaper to load these specs into a desktop than a laptop, you may be willing to pay up for mobility. Whether you decide to go with a desktop or a laptop as your stock trading computer, be sure to meet the minimum requirements listed above.

If you’re just starting out as a day trader, click here to see how much you can make from stocks in a month.

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