Stock trading, the land of riches and trying to one-up the market has come full circle from normal everyday brokers hounding at the exchange has evolved to basically doing everything online. If you were the type to lead an exciting life checking daily stock markets and the major market indexes, then you've come to the right place because here we're going through some of the very best laptops for stock trading to get even the amateur stock trader or day trader well equipped to handle the ups-and-downs of the market.
What was once limited to the elite and traditional brokers, these days almost anyone can get on the market and own a stock or two. Investing online, by yourself is an attractive proposition to many young adults who want a piece of the pie, looking to invest some money to make a little extra cash.
With the mass availability of apps, software and sites as well as resources to learn and understand the market, you could basically be a stock trader from the comfort of your own home. This has lead to a rise in interest in the stock market, and that's why we're looking for the best laptop for stock trading to make sure you aren't behind the pack in the ever evolving, fluctuating market.
But before that, we're going to have to answer a pretty difficult question; Do stock traders even need a laptop?
Do Stock Traders Need a Laptop?
The simplest way I can put it is, yes, stock traders need a laptop. This is especially prevalent for day traders where you need to be up-to-date with real-time data running through your laptop. While there are plentiful of mobile apps and various other methods to get into stock trading, it doesn't hurt to have at least one, powerful, properly equipped workstation to make sure you've got an edge in the game.
A best laptop for stock trading will need a powerful processor and accompanying specs to execute quick trades if needed, and as such, your laptop will need to keep up with processing all of this information and data.
You could do it all on your phone, but it may not be a favorable experience to those with a sub-par smartphone with a bunch of missing features or software you'd only find on a laptop for trading stocks. There are also some stock trading software you may not find on other platforms, so keep that in mind when you're debating on whether you need a trading laptop.
If you're day trading, you're also going to want the capability of hooking up to a monitor or two to keep you well informed on the daily market fluctuations. It's all very subjective to your level of experience and familiarity with stock trading, but for the most part, yes, stock traders and trading will definitely need a laptop. But what if you're an Apple fan? Would an Apple MacBook Pro suffice?
What About a MacBook?
Apple comes out with a bunch of attractive, sleek, and powerful laptops and desktops every year and they're probably a favorite for many day trading enthusiasts regarding itself as one of the best trading laptops around. The only caveat of an Apple laptop as your dedicated day trading laptop is that these laptops are pricey. A properly equipped Apple MacBook Pro can range up to over $1,000 for similar processing power on a Windows 10 operating system laptop half the price.
It really depends on if you're willing to shell out the cash for Apple's latest and greatest laptops like the 2020 MacBook Pro. For most users just getting started in the stock trading game, I'd advise finding a more reasonably priced laptop running Windows 10.
There are plentiful laptops out there you can find as the best laptops for trading that won't break the bank. It's only a matter of what you're looking for and what you're willing to compromise for it. Other wise, a MacBook running the latest macOS operating system will definitely rank highly as one of the best laptops for stock trading around.
Recommended System Specs
Once you've decided on your operating system of choice between the latest macOS vs Windows 10, it's time to check what the rest of the specs you should be looking for in the best laptop for stock trading. While the decision to get a Windows 10 or macOS laptop is important, you'll also have to take into account which trading software you're looking to use. Some programs and trading software may not be available on one or the other operating system.
There will be plentiful of other great trading software to get into, but if you've got a favorite, it's probably best to check if it's supported on the platform your laptop for trading is on.
Besides the operating system, there are a few more specs that can greatly improve your laptop performance, which will inherently give you a boost to your trading edge.
Display
The display is one of the very first features you read about on any laptop you buy. There are a few factors/things to look for in a display, but the easiest way to find a crisp, vibrant, high-res display is finding a Full HD panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. This should be the base in your search for the best laptops for stock trading as its the most readily available, popular, and best-in-class performance you can get without forking out a fortune.
You're gonna need that extra cash to splurge on the trading floor.
Another spec on the display side of things that you're going to need to be aware of is the screen size.
Now the screen size is purely up to what you're looking for. Some laptops opt for a bigger display like a 15.6-inch screen or 17-inch display, while some laptops are much more portable and sleek with a screen size like 13.3-inch or 14-inch. Depending on your preferences and what you're looking for, the screen size is of lesser concern. But a little tip from me, find a laptop with a smaller form factor to get the best in processing power and portability. It'll make daily commutes or bringing the laptop around that much easier.
Processor
Probably the biggest indicator of performance on any laptop is going to be the processor. The processor is the brain of your laptop. As such, to keep up with copious amounts of data relaying into your laptop for stock trading, your processor is going to need to be pretty powerful as to not lag behind.
An easy way to ensure great performance out of the best laptop for stock trading is to find a laptop with a processor that's at least from the 8th Generation , and at least an Intel Core i5 processor. An Intel Core i5 really is the bare minimum of what to look for. Any less, and you're going to run into issues in the long run with loading, multi-tasking with frequent lag and crashes which are detrimental to a stock trader's performance.
Anything lesser than an 8th Gen processor like a 7th Gen Intel Core i7 processor is pretty outdated in this day and age. To future proof your laptop and hard spent money, it's best to find something a little more recent. For the very best in performance you can opt to find a laptop with an 8th Gen i7 processor like the Intel Core i7-8565U or newer like the Intel Core i7-9750H, Intel Core i7-1165G7, etc. These are going to be your best bet with a solid clock speed, at least a quad-core processor setup, and raw performance potential.
RAM/ Storage
To support your processor, you're going to want to make sure your RAM and storage are equally impressive. Both RAM and storage is detrimental to your laptop's performance but are pretty flexible depending on your usage patterns. For the most part, you're going to want to stick to these minimum specs we're outlining here; at least 8GB DDR3 RAM and at least a 256GB SSD storage space.
The RAM capabilities of the best laptops for stock trading is very important to manage your laptop's applications at any give time. Your RAM dictates how fast and smooth your multi-tasking experience is on your laptop as it keeps things running in the background. This makes for a fluid, smoother experience if you were running multiple trading software, a web browser, documents, music programs, etc. simultaneously. As such, to ensure reliable performance, best to find at least 8 gigs of RAM.
The storage space your laptop comes with is the most flexible spec and is really dependent on what you're going to be doing on the laptop. Having a base storage capacity of a 256GB SSD is a great backup for all your important data, information and documents on your local storage. If you were the type to rely on a cloud service for your storage needs, this is of lesser concern. But it doesn't hurt to have a little extra storage for those times when you need certain files and programs offline.
Either way, the best laptops for trading will more than likely come packing with a reliable processor, sufficient RAM capacity and plentiful of storage.
Graphics Card
When it comes to finding the best laptop for share trading or best laptop for day trading, one spec you can basically ignore is the graphics card. You won't really need any intensive graphical performance out of your laptop considering there really isn't much to do. The only time you would need a beefy graphics card is if you were running multiple monitor displays at once and considering you're looking for a laptop here, I'm going to assume this isn't going to be your use case. As such, you should be more than comfortable with any number of integrated graphic cards available without worrying too much about missing out on anything integral.
I mean, unless you're a gamer in your spare time. Then be prepared to chock up a little extra money for a beefier graphics card.
While these are all the 'important' specs to be mindful of, there are a few more features that while 'non-essential', will definitely be a valuable investment in the long run. Hah, see what I did there?
Additional Features To Look For
Battery Life
I recommend this for basically everyone looking for a laptop because a good battery life that actually lasts pays off its value very quickly. A long battery life is often overlooked but for those of you who are on the move, making trades as the day goes by, this feature is going to be quintessential to your lifestyle.
Having that battery backup your laptop makes it much easier to use without being constrained to a dingy corner stuck to a charger all day. Want to work on the couch? Go ahead. Planning on heading out for a few hours but don't want to lug around a heavy charger all day? Be my guest. It's a powerful, life-changing feature. Try it once, and you'll never want to go back.
Portability
A feature that goes hand-in-hand with your battery life performance is going to be the laptops portability aspect. Some laptops are heavy, big, and too troublesome to carry around. Considering you're looking for laptops for stock trading, you're going to be met with plentiful laptops that are not only performance driven, but easy to carry around, lightweight, and super portable. A good way to gauge a laptop's portability is how much it weighs, how long the battery lasts, and how thin it is.
To add to your portability, consider finding a laptop with a solid connectivity options such as a SIM card tray. This will allow for better connectivity to keep you updated on the day's markets and what not. Connectivity is another feature some seem to forget about, but I think this is the best use case in which it's actually helpful.
Enhanced Security
To safeguard the best laptops for trading, it's probably a good idea to find a laptop with some solid security features and protection. This doesn't only include things like a military grade durability, but also features that help protect your laptop from someone accessing it or using it without your knowledge. Finding a laptop with features like a fingerprint scanner, webcam kill switch, force mute toggle, added software protection features is a good way to keep your data and portfolio safe. Not to mention adding in a feature like a fingerprint scanner will make using the laptop that much easier.
Now that we've gone through everything you need to know, let's get straight into the list to find the very best laptops for stock trading around!
Best Laptops For Stock Trading
1. Acer Aspire E 15
The first laptop we'll be featuring as one of the best laptops for trading is going to be the Acer Aspire E 15. This laptop does come with fairly dated spec but as a whole, it's still a competitive package with just the right specs for trading stocks and anything else you might need the laptop to do. First off, the laptop features pretty standard laptop design and features a 15.6" FHD display with thick borders around all four corners of the frame.
Onto the internals, the laptop features a solid array of specs for the price. Powering the laptop is a 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM which is faster than the previously mentioned DDR3 RAM type, and a solid 1TB HDD storage capacity. It isn't as speedy as some of the SSD storage options around, but it is definitely plentiful. It should work well for traders who have just a bit too much stored on their laptop. Considering the laptop uses only a dual-core processor, it might be a bit too little for some but it still maxes out at 3.5GHz which is more than capable for everyday tasks as well as trading software.
A few more features that makes the Acer Aspire E15 standout includes a SD card reader, a full array of ports including USB Type-C, dual-stereo speaker setup and 6 hours of battery life.
2. ASUS ZenBook 13
Next up, we're going to be featuring a very impressive machine that not only gets you plenty performance, but it's set at a very reasonable price tag. This laptop is none other than the ASUS ZenBook 13 with a potent combination of great specs, attractive design and a reasonable price point nets this as a top contender as the best budget laptop for trading stocks. Taking a look at the external design, we see a super sleek, no-waste design philosophy with the 13.3-inch FHD NanoEdge LED-backlit display with a ridiculous 88% screen-to-body ratio. The screen isn't the only place the laptop impresses as the overall design follows suit making this one of the better looking laptops on the list.
Under the hood is where the ASUS ZenBook 13 really shows its prowess though. The laptop comes packing a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor, 8GB RAM and a modestly sized 256GB SSD. Nothing on this spec sheet hits out as a powerful performer by itself, but when used in combination with each other you can expect some solid performance in your daily use. ASUS really has put in a lot of thought in the usage patterns of users, adding in an 'ErgoLife' hinge which raises the backlit keyboard slightly, making for a more comfortable typing position.
A few extra features you'll find on this laptop includes a backlit keyboard, NumerPad 2.0, 2x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 3.0 ports, weighs in at a lightweight 2.62lbs, and has an astonishing 22 hours battery life. You do miss out on a fingerprint reader, but in turn you can utilize the Windows Hello facial recognition sign in.
3. Dell XPS 13 7390
For the traders out there looking for a truly 'premium', high-end laptop to use as their daily driver, look no further than the Dell XPS 13 7390. This is definitely one of the pricier laptops on the list, but for good reason; everything about this laptop screams premium. The first thing you'll notice is the impressive build quality on the chassis and the carbon fiber palm rest on the backlit keyboard. The Dell XPS 13 comes with a 13.3-inch FHD LED-backlit display which has a 80.7% screen-to-body ratio. This helps keep the laptop as lightweight as it is, cramming in as many features possible without increasing the overall weight and form factor.
The laptop continues to impress with a solid array of specs on the internals. Powering the laptop's performance is a modern 10th Generation Intel Core i7-10710U processor, 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD storage capacity. Overall, this is the best lineup of specs we've seen so far which comes at no surprise considering the price tag. If you were in the market for a truly high-end laptop which will last you more than a couple of years, this is probably going to be your best shot.
A few more features the XPS 13 comes with to entice potential buyers include a fingerprint reader, backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 support, Windows 10 Pro, wedge-shaped lock slot, microSD card reader, weighs in at a lightweight 2.7lbs and up to 12 hours of battery life.
4. Microsoft Surface Pro 6
The next device we'll be featuring is another premium segment machine but takes a different approach to the traditional form factor. This device is the Microsoft Surface Pro 6, a 2-in-1 convertible laptop which can not only transform into a tablet, it is a tablet. A bit unconventional, I know, but still it pulls it off fairly well to make for a truly lightweight, portable trading workstation. The Microsoft tablet features a 12.3-inch PixelSense touch display which gets you a 2736 x 1824 resolution.
While this is probably the most petite device featured on the list, doesn't mean it's lacking in performance. The tablet features an 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8650U, a step above the earlier mentioned Intel Core i7-8565U. It also comes with some great supporting specs including a 16GB RAM capacity and a sizable 512GB SSD. Based off these specs alone, you've got a pretty powerful device. But this does come at a higher cost so if you weren't too into the price, consider checking out the other variants of this tablet which take a downgrade in both specs and price.
There are a few more specialties you'll find on Microsoft's Pro 6 device including Windows 10 Home, Dolby Audio stereo speakers, Windows Hello sign-in to replace a fingerprint reader, MicroSDXC card reader, and up to 13.5 hours battery life.
5. Razer Blade Stealth 13
Last up on the list is going to be another powerhouse laptop but takes a far different approach than what we've seen so far with a focus on gaming. This beast is none other than the Razer Blade Stealth 13. This machine is another powerhouse when it comes to performance and even features a very impressive, eye-catching matte black color scheme with Razer's patented neon green accents. On the display of the Razer Blade Stealth 13 you'll find a 13.3-inch Full HD thin bezel display with a 100% sRGB color saturation, making the display one of the best for both gaming and entertainment.
However, coming from a gaming background, the Razer Blade comes packed with super powered specs including a 10th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor, 16GB RAM capacity and a generous 512GB SSD storage space. For its graphical performance, you can expect pretty great performance with the dedicated graphics card, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti. To complement all this raw power, you can also enjoy the stunning aesthetics with the simple yet refined look, and the Razer Chroma backlit keyboard which supports a variety of patterns, colors, and functionality.
A few more interesting features you'll find on the Razer Blade includes a fully fledged port selection, Windows Hello sign-in options, dual-array mic setup, precision glass touchpad, quad-stereo speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support, and up to 10 hours battery life.
Conclusion
And that's pretty much it folks. All the laptops we've showcased so far are all very capable in their own right and it's now up to you which to choose. But of course, we're going to be picking just one of these machines as the very best of the best laptops for stock trading.
Today, our winner is going to be the ASUS ZenBook 13!
This beastly performer checks off all the right specs and features to get you the best of all worlds. The ZenBook 13 not only features impressive performance potential, but also supplements this with a wide array of on-board, useful features, a super attractive design and a very reasonable price tag. Checking off just one of these off the list is enough to qualify as one of the best laptops, but having all of em'? An easy choice, really.
