Check out our expert recommendations for the best laptops for trading in 2023.
While buying and selling stocks during ups and downs may be how some people see stock, cryptocurrency, or FX trading, there is much more to it. For traders like you, decisions are based on technical analysis and fundamentals, correct?
Contrary to what certain advertisements would have us think, trading the markets is not simple. To build a successful portfolio, you need to have the right information, TA, and awareness of the market circumstances. A reliable stock trading laptop is essential.
You’ll need a laptop that can manage both extensive online browsing and correctly run charting software, frequently both at the same time. The majority of traders also choose devices with excellent displays, light weights, fantastic batteries, and the ability to see trading analysis on several laptop models.
Time is money, therefore we did the research and prepared a list of some of the greatest forex trading laptops for stock, cryptocurrency, and forex trading in 2023.
The laptops in this list are capable of running standalone and browser-based trading applications like TradingView, thinkorswim, MetaStock, TC200, etc. High-end surfing on Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc. is also supported by them.
And if you’re always on the run, they are indeed quite comfy to use for trading.
Are you prepared for the ROI and your computer expertise to increase? Let’s get going.
Dell XPS 15
Our ratings
- CPU: 2.9GHz Intel Core i7-11390H
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 16-inch 3K IPS (3072 x 1920)
- GPU: Integrated Iris Xe
- Battery: Up to 17 Hours
Editor’s choice!
Asus ZenBook 14
Our ratings
- CPU: 1.3GHz Intel Core i7-1195G7
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 2GB NVIDIA GeForce MX450
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
Lenovo IdeaPad 5
Our ratings
- CPU: 1GHz Intel Core i5-1035G1
- RAM: 16GB
- RAM: 16GB Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD Touch (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: Integrated Intel UHD
- Battery: Up to 7 hours
HP Pavilion 15
Our ratings
- CPU: 2.8GHz Intel Core i7-1165G7
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
- Battery: Up to 8 hours
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Dell Inspiron 16 5625
Our ratings
- CPU: 2.0GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5825U
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 16-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200)
- GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
- Battery: Up to 8 Hours
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LG Gram 15
Our ratings
- CPU: 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-10210U
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: Integrated Intel UHD
- Battery: Up to 17 hours
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Apple MacBook Pro
Our ratings
- CPU: Apple M2 8-Core
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD Retina (2560 x 1600)
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD Retina (2560 x 1600) GPU: Integrated 10-Core
- Battery: Up to 20 hours
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Microsoft Surface Pro 8
Our ratings
- CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-1135G7
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Display: 13-inch Touch (2880 x 1920)
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
- Battery: Up to 16 hours
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ASUS VivoBook 15
Our ratings
- CPU: 2.1GHz AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon Vega 8
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
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Best Laptops for Trading in 2024
These are the 9 affordable laptops to enhance your trading experience, and we review them in depth.
1. Best 2-in-1 for Trading: Dell XPS 15
Let’s take a closer look at the HP Spectre, which has a 16″ IPS display. The screen’s 3K resolution, touchscreen, vibrant colors, and brightness make it fantastic for charts and analytics. There are several workplaces because the laptop has among the narrowest bezels on the market.
With the HP stylus that is supplied, you may also use it as a tablet. Since there is no delay, taking notes is pleasant. Moreover, an HDMI connector is present for external monitor connections.
An 11th generation Intel Core processor and 16 GB of RAM are found inside, which is sufficient for any stock trading program. I don’t anticipate the Spectre to flinch even if you’re concurrently browsing a number of tabs and charts.
You’ll likely enjoy the battery life as much as I do because the device has a sizable 83 Wh battery, which means you can easily expect 12–13 hours of use. The laptop weighs 4.4 pounds, which is on the heavier side. Check out the LG Gram 16 if mobility is essential to you. It has a similar battery life but is significantly lighter.
Personally, I adore the keyboard of the HP Spectre. It has great key travel, is tactile, and is both small and roomy. The lack of a keyboard at this price point is my main criticism.
Overall, especially if you operate from home, the HP Spectre x360 is a terrific, reliable option for stock trading. The touchscreen, key features, and design make the purchase worthwhile.
What we like
- The 3K touchscreen is beautiful.
- Excellent performance.
- Long-lasting battery.
- Elegant and strong.
- The keyboard is comfortable, and the trackpad is big.
- Comes with a bunch of goodies.
What we don't like
- This laptop is not the lightest.
2. Best Trading Laptop With Double Screen: Asus ZenBook 14
When it comes to processing speed, the Intel Core i7-1195G7 chipset may be found within Asus. Its mobile SoC has turbo clock rates of up to 5GHz, making it suitable for technical platforms like forex trading, charting, and more.
With an entry-level MX450 GPU, you can see technical charts and inputs in a good amount of detail. After a long day of trading, the dedicated graphics card allows you to relax with some mid-tier games.
Asus’s 16GB of RAM makes it easy to manage several laptop interfaces without taxing the system to its limits. This Asus laptop supports NVMe storage and comes with a 1TB solid-state drive.
The SSD part makes it easy to get data and load the Windows 10 operating system quickly. The display’s unique presence is also amplified by the 14-inch screen size and FHD resolution. The featured panel has a great display and a wide range of viewing angles. It also has NanoEdge bezels that are very thin and have a maximum resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels.
You also receive a cutting-edge touchscreen tablet called the ScreenPad Plus. You may manage your finances and transactions without ever leaving this interface. The notebook’s ErgoLift design lets it get rid of heat better, so it stays cooler than usual, and the backlit keyboard is also worth mentioning.
Type-C, Type-A, and HDMI connections, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, are part of the connectivity package. Finally, the battery life clocks in at an impressive 10 hours, especially when compared to the rest of the impressive specifications.
If the ScreenPad Plus feature is important to you while shopping for a laptop for cryptocurrency or stock trading, the Asus UX534FTC-AS77 ZenBook 14 is a great option.
What we like
- Trusted processor.
- A big amount of RAM.
- Wi-Fi 6 support.
- Excellent display.
What we don't like
- For the price, the GPU could be better.
3. Best 11th Generation Intel Laptop for Trading: HP Pavilion 15
Several top trading apps and analytical trading tools will work well on this laptop. The computer has enough processing power and memory to use the Internet and web-based trading research platforms like Tradingview a lot.
The illuminated keyboard and large trackpad on the HP Pavilion 15 make it ideal for late-night trading.
The 15.6-inch IPS screen is gorgeous, but it may be too small for certain traders. Even so, there is sufficient room on the display for a couple of graphs. If you need to hook up to a second screen, there’s a savior: an HDMI port. Bluetooth 5.0 and SuperSpeed USB Type-A and Type-C connectors are also included.
Up to 8 hours of use time is possible before needing a recharge. Those who are always on the go, such as traders, can tolerate this. Most traders probably do their magic at home, where a charger isn’t needed, even though there’s a limit of four hours on particularly taxing tasks. However, the LG Gram series is worth considering if you’re not a fan of having to constantly charge your laptop.
The Pavilion 15 is a fantastically constructed, high-performance machine. It’s a sensible and secure investment at the current price.
What we like
- IPS display.
- Reasonably priced.
- A strong performance.
- Battery life is about average.
- Comprehensive backlit keyboard.
What we don't like
- Screen isn't anti-glare.
4. Best Laptop for Forex Trading: Lenovo IdeaPad 5
You may complete your job quickly and receive the brightest display on the screen with a 15.6-inch FHD Touch display. It has 512GB of storage space and 16GB of RAM for installing top-tier trading applications. Every application will operate without a hitch and store all the data without slowing down the system.
Being a lightweight device, it will also be simpler for stock traders like you to transport it to business meetings or travel with it as needed. Also, it performs really well and has good responsiveness and durability. Also, the battery life is fantastic. Even with a full HD display, it functions flawlessly for up to 7 hours of use.
This computer has additional features, such as connection choices. It has 1 HDMI port, 1 USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD card reader. The pricing range is average, and the keyboard is lighted for visibility at night.
What we like
- Enough RAM and storage space.
- Strong and quick processor.
- Several ways to connect.
- The laptop that is light and thin.
- The battery life is great.
What we don't like
- Hardware problems.
- The fingerprint scanner wasn't the best.
5. Best Stock Trading: Dell Inspiron 16 5625
This Dell Inspiron 16 5625 is driven by an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor. Technical charting, examining candlesticks, and displaying support and resistance levels for equities are all easily manageable because of the 8-core processing capacity. Also, even when utilizing trading systems for extended periods of time, we never got too hot.
The 4.5GHz turbo boost clock frequency of the relevant chipset is easily complemented by the integrated AMD Radeon graphics card, which improves visual quality even more.
The 16GB of RAM might be useful for stock trading because of the need to quickly switch between platforms and start deals. The 512GB solid-state drive also makes storage for media files like documents and movies a breeze.
Moreover, Windows 11 Pro OS is present as the primary software suite. We also liked that the 16-inch 1080p screen gave us plenty of room to see two TradingView charts side by side.
A standard high-definition camera with an integrated microphone for handling professional responsibilities and stereo speakers round out the list of solid hardware features. The Dell Inspiron 16 5625 weighs about 4.12 pounds and features a convenient touchpad for easy navigation.
Nonetheless, we’re big fans of the connectivity options, which include HDMI compatibility for sophisticated trades as well as 2 x USB 3.2 Gen1 and 1 x USB 3.2 Type C connectors for connecting external displays and peripherals.
The well-known Wi-Fi 6 standard is also in use, which facilitates more rapid wireless connections. However, the battery life is limited to about 8 hours under normal conditions. Consequently, the Dell Inspiron 16 5625 appears like a good alternative if you are mostly a desk-bound trader.
What we like
- A processor from AMD is fast.
- Good support for storage.
- Ultrafast RAM for reducing system lags.
- Wi-Fi 6 assistance.
What we don't like
- The battery could last longer.
- The keyboard is not the best.
6. Best Battery Life: LG Gram 15
The LG Gram 15 is a great option for stock trading for traders who are always on the go, thanks to its strong performance, mid-range pricing, and fantastic battery life.
You may use the device for up to 17 hours on a single battery charge. Do not forget that this is a manufacturer’s statement. You may realistically anticipate 14 hours for light-to-moderate trade.
Although RAM and storage are not the finest in this price range, they are still not the worst, either. The majority of online trading systems should function with 8 GB of RAM and 512GB of storage capacity. But I would recommend 16GB of RAM if you’re a skilled trader who utilizes desktop trading software.
Extra points For a lighted keyboard and an HDMI port for extra screens, see LG. They are helpful if you want to study trading charts on various screens and work at night. Sometimes even LG’s razor-sharp 15.6″ Full HD display falls short.
I adore the LG Gram’s design and beauty. It is 2.4 lbs. light and extremely durable, easily making it one of my top choices for extended journeys. Its robust design may support them.
Use headphones instead of speakers for music and movies; speakers are hardly acceptable. On the other side, the webcam is significantly superior. You won’t have any issues with video conferencing.
Overall, this is a fantastic, dependable, and portable laptop for traders that move about a lot.
What we like
- Sleek design.
- Easy to carry and strong.
- The battery life is great.
- Good for people who like to stay up late and trade on several screens.
What we don't like
- 8GB of RAM might not be enough.
- Bad sound quality.
7. Best with MacOS: Apple MacBook Pro
Another outstanding addition to Apple’s MacBook line is the MacBook Pro. Similar to the new MacBook Air, it has a stunning appearance and superb design. Macs are popular with traders. You may choose between this less expensive 13-inch model and the 16-inch model. These devices have a touch bar with a full HD retina display that allows you to manage all of your music, films, and other data.
This freshly created 13-inch Macbook includes a 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, and the latest M2 CPU. If you enjoy playing games, this may be the best option for all of your needs, even though it cannot operate all of the high-end trading software.
With continued intensive use, the battery life is 20 hours. An Apple T2 chip has been included in the system as extra security. The chips have encrypted storage capabilities and a secure enclave coprocessor. At the end of the touch bar, in the top-right corner, it features lovely fingerprint security. Siri is also accessible from there.
Also, there are 2 USB Type-C/T Thunderbolt connectors included for charging, connecting extra displays, and facilitating quicker data transfer. Since they are so svelte and light, Macbooks are always a breeze to transport. As you surely already know, this device is pricey, just like all the other Apple items. Yet the new MacBook Pro won’t let you down if you’re an Apple lover.
What we like
- Incredible Display.
- Use Touch ID.
- SSD drives are fast.
- Fluid macOS.
What we don't like
- Just two USB ports.
8. Best for Portability: Microsoft Surface Pro 8
While the device’s maximum clock speed of 2.4GHz on the Intel Core i5 processor may fall short of expectations, the device performs admirably in all other respects. It has 128 GB of storage space and 8GB of RAM. This notebook also comes in a 16GB configuration, however, at a higher price.
This machine is enough for running stock trading software without the need for a hardware update.
The 13-inch PixelSense display is yet another impressive addition to the Surface Pro 8. This handy gadget is ideal for making transactions while traveling. It may be used as a laptop, a tablet, or in “studio mode,” which combines the two.
Please be aware that laptop add-ons, such as a keyboard or mouse, are not included. The battery life of this laptop, at around 16 hours, is above average for trade tablets and laptops in this price range. As a stock trader, you could find this useful. Only USB-A and USB-C ports are available; therefore, you may need to buy adapters if you want to use other types of cables.
What we like
- Very compact and lightweight.
- Available in laptop, tablet, and studio formats, among others.
- Superb endurance for a battery.
What we don't like
- Expensive (the mouse and keyboard are sold separately)
- Not enough ports.
9. Best Budget-Friendly Trading Laptop: ASUS VivoBook 15
The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U chipset is the brains of the machine, and it supports speeds up to 3.8GHz. With the SMT technology’s burst clock speed, you may place off-market orders and trade in real time with no delays.
In addition, a Vega 8 graphics processor has been included in the system to handle all the visuals.
Asus also includes 8GB of fast memory, letting inexperienced traders follow the market in real time and develop a feel for it. While the 256GB SSD module fell short of our expectations, the low price and quick Windows 10 OS boot time more than made up for it.
Its outstanding screen-to-chassis ratio and a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels make the 15.6-inch NanoEdge display stand out. If you’re a music lover, you’ll like the robust speakers and illuminated keyboard that go so well with the vivid display.
This notebook’s fingerprint scanner makes it a good choice for investors concerned with data security. The touchpad is snappy, and there are USB 2.0, Type-C, and Type-A connections for plugging in your favorite accessories. The Wi-Fi 5 standard also facilitates the establishment of more rapid connections.
The Asus VivoBook 15, at under 3.5 pounds and with a battery life of up to 5.5 hours, is one of the best laptops in its price range for day trading.
What we like
- Processor with eight threads.
- Sharp display.
- Extremely good keyboard.
- Nifty biometric scanner.
- Superfast RAM.
What we don't like
- Doesn't have Wi-Fi 6 support.
- Not enough storage space.
How to Choose a Good Laptop for Trading
Your trading success depends equally on your platform of choice, your abilities, and your device. What therefore characterizes the ideal laptop for traders?
The specs of a laptop serve as a barometer for its quality. Let’s talk about what qualities a decent trading laptop has to have.
- Processor
For profitable Forex trading, a strong CPU is essential. A laptop with an Intel Core I series or better CPU is what you should get. Think about the CPU before choosing a laptop for Forex trading. It was necessary to use a model with a fast clock speed to complete all of the complicated computations rapidly. Choosing the Intel i7 CPU is a wise move.
Another option to think about is the AMD Ryzen, which is virtually equally outstanding in every regard. With more threads, AMD Ryzen offers an edge in some applications.
- RAM
At least 8GB of RAM should be included in a laptop. Your computer will start and use its trading application more quickly the more memory it has.
For forex trading, a laptop with plenty of memory is also necessary. 8GB is advised, although this may be upgraded to 16GB if preferred. Your computer can execute tasks more quickly the more memory it has. When using numerous apps at once, this is essential.
- Storage
For forex trading, a laptop with lots of storage is necessary. You must save all of your documents, photographs, videos, programs, and other media; thus, doing this is crucial. Look for both internal and external hard drives for the most storage space.
So, any ideal trading laptop has to have more storage than is typical. Your computer can start up and launch applications more quickly thanks to it. Look for an SSD hard drive that is 125 GB or more.
- GPU
For Forex trading, you need a decent graphics card since you want to be able to view your transaction updates properly. It need not be cutting edge, but it must be better than ordinary. Moreover, check to see whether your graphics card has a CPU and memory card so it can keep up with all the trade data flowing in.
Try to choose a laptop that has a graphics card from the AMD Radeon or NVIDIA GeForce series. How you view the data on your screen will depend on your graphics card. To swiftly process high-resolution photos, you’ll need a lot of VRAM. It’s a wise choice to get the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2070. RTX 30-series GPUs are also excellent options.
- Display
You must be able to view all of the data on your screen when choosing a laptop for Forex trading, therefore, high resolution is necessary. The best option is a laptop with Full HD resolution or greater.
Seek out a monitor with a resolution of at least 1920 by 1080. The finest viewing experience for all the data you’ll be working with will be provided by doing this. When it comes to forex trading, a decent display is not a luxury. To properly analyze the information and minimize mistakes as much as possible, you must be able to see it all.
- Screen Size and Design
Because they are sometimes captivated to the laptop screen for hours at a time, many traders pay special attention to the screen size of their computers. For Forex traders, a bigger screen size offers a more enjoyable viewing experience, while a lower screen size may cause eye strain.
In addition to screen size, a laptop’s general design is important. The finest laptops for traders are ones that are portable and allow them to add extra trading hours to their schedules. A laptop with a proper design will also be able to dissipate heat effectively, allowing you to trade without stressing the machine.
- Battery Life
Look for Processors that are both powerful and energy-efficient before buying a trading laptop. One with a “U” suffix is preferred if you like Intel because it uses less power and promotes a longer battery life.
- Connectivity
Check sure the wifi connection on your laptop is strong enough. So that you can rapidly connect to the internet and other devices, you want one that has both Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi adapter.
The ideal Wi-Fi 6 standard for Forex trading is 802.11ax. It provides the fastest speeds in addition to the most reliable connections.
- Ports
The number of ports on a trading laptop should be high. Your PCs need these additional ports in order to connect hardware like external displays and other devices. A USB-to-HDMI converter is an alternative to using an HDMI connector to connect external monitors to your device (on a USB 3.0 port). For the quickest data transfer rate possible, think about investing in a Thunderbolt port.
Laptops for Trading FAQs
Q: What are the best laptops for trading? A: The best laptops for trading are powerful, reliable, and capable of handling real-time market data and trading software. These laptops offer fast processors, ample RAM, high-resolution displays, multiple monitors support, and efficient cooling systems.
Q: What factors should traders consider when looking for laptops? A: When searching for laptops for trading, consider factors such as processing power (preferably Intel Core i5 or higher), RAM (8GB or more), storage (preferably SSD for faster data access), display quality (high resolution and color accuracy), connectivity options (multiple ports for monitors and peripherals), and portability.
Q: Can I use a Mac for trading, or should I consider a Windows laptop? A: Both Mac and Windows laptops can be used for trading. Mac laptops are known for their stability and optimized software ecosystem, while Windows laptops offer a wider range of options and compatibility with trading software. Choose the platform that aligns with your preferences and software requirements.
Q: Are touchscreen laptops suitable for trading? A: Touchscreen laptops are not essential for trading but can provide added convenience, especially when navigating charts and financial data. However, touchscreen functionality is a matter of personal preference and not a necessity for trading.
Q: Are gaming laptops suitable for traders? A: Gaming laptops can be suitable for traders due to their powerful hardware specifications. However, they may be bulkier and have shorter battery life compared to laptops designed specifically for professional use. Consider the portability and battery life alongside the performance when choosing a gaming laptop for trading.
Q: Do traders need dedicated graphics cards in their laptops? A: Dedicated graphics cards are not essential for trading unless you plan to use the laptop for advanced charting or graphical analysis. Integrated graphics found in most laptops are generally sufficient for trading platforms and financial software.
Q: Can laptops for trading handle multiple monitors? A: Yes, laptops for trading can handle multiple monitors. Look for laptops with multiple video outputs or Thunderbolt/USB-C ports that support external monitors. Additionally, ensure that the laptop’s graphics capabilities are suitable for driving multiple displays.
Q: Can laptops for trading handle real-time market data and trading software? A: Yes, laptops for trading are designed to handle real-time market data and trading software. Look for laptops with fast processors, ample RAM, and efficient cooling systems to ensure smooth operation during active trading sessions.
Q: Are there any specific brands that offer the best laptops for trading? A: Several brands offer laptops suitable for trading, including Dell (XPS and Precision series), HP (EliteBook and ZBook series), Lenovo (ThinkPad series), ASUS (ZenBook and ROG series), and Microsoft (Surface series). Consider specific models within these brands that meet your requirements.
Q: Can laptops for trading handle resource-intensive trading platforms? A: Laptops for trading are designed to handle resource-intensive trading platforms. However, it’s essential to choose a laptop with sufficient processing power, RAM, and storage to ensure smooth operation of trading software and real-time data feeds.
Laptops for Trading: Final Thoughts
If you want to give yourself the greatest possible chance of succeeding as a stock trader, you need to be very attentive while choosing the correct tools.
Using the wrong software might cost you a lot of money, so it’s crucial to make sure you get it right from the start.
But keep in mind that you’ll need a fantastic laptop that runs all of the necessary applications and more too. Trading laptops are just as powerful as trading desktops, so if you plan to travel a lot, you should get a trading laptop.
You need a laptop that will enable you carry out your activities as a stock trader and other activities in your leisure time since you enjoy video editing on the side, gaming, or any other heavy work for a laptop.
