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 Mobile computer systems like laptops, notebooks, desknotes and PDAs have improved tremendously in CPU power that it is possible to implement sophisticated trading systems and trading charting software on these platforms. With their added advantage of portability, a trader or investor can literally be anywhere in the world and still keep in close touch with the financial markets and monitor their stock investments in real-time. Add to that the ever improving wireless internet capability like Wi-Fi, Wi-Max & Bluetooth, you can monitor the markets wherever there is a Wi-Fi hotspot or wireless internet coverage.
Laptops for Trading
A modern Pentium M or Athlon64 based laptop computer can easily handle most of the
sophisticated trading platforms and trading charting software available today like eSignal, Tradestation, MetaStock and QuoteTracker. The main disadvantage to using a mobile platform for trading is normally screen space but even this limitation is fast disappearing given that many laptops now come with standard screen sizes of 15" - 17" or more. Add to that, some top-end models even
come in the newer wide-screen format for even more added screen real estate width. Most modern laptops, like the hugely popular IBM ThinkPad series of laptops, also allow you to operate multiple-monitors from the same laptop. Find out more about Multi-Monitor setups for Laptops.
 Ultra Mobile Platforms
Some financial brokers and trading data vendors have recently been venturing
into PDAs and other ultra mobile platforms. For example, eSignal has rolled out
Quotrek which is a streaming, real-time stock quote system that lets you take
your portfolio on the road. With worldwide market quotes, charts and news via
your Pocket PC, Palm, BlackBerry or smart phone, QuoTrek gives you the freedom
of mobility without sacrificing your need to monitor your stock picks. If you own a PDA, WAP enabled mobile phone or a modern smartphone, you can get free delayed stock quotes, charts and company news through Yahoo Mobile.
Complementing Desktop Trading System
Many traders, instead of getting multiple monitors for their desktops, run
both laptop and desktop side by side and normally devote the laptop to their
broker's order entry system (since a laptop has a battery to back it up in case
of a power failure) and the desktop for the more CPU intensive real-time data
and analytics. This solution works very well as the 2 components of data and
order entry are separated and do not hinder each other.
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