In the fast-paced world of stock trading, every trader needs an efficient laptop to keep up with sudden changes. Getting the right machine will allow you to take advantage of every second to cash in on a shared spike. The best trading laptops are capable enough to run the most intensive stock trading apps without lagging. They are also portable enough to allow you to engage with the stock market from anywhere in the world. To make the job of finding the right laptop easier for you, we have compiled a list of the best devices. Our team has selected the laptops that are suited to the needs of every stock trader.

The Best Laptops for Traders 

Choosing the best laptop for traders can be challenging if you don’t have all the important information. After rigorous research, we have compiled a detailed guide to help you find the best laptop for trading stocks with all the specs you need. You should easily find your trading machine in the following top 10 laptops:

• Dell XPS 15 – The overall champ
• M2 MacBook Air 15 – The best MacBook option
• Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15 – The best dual-screen laptop
• LG Gram 17 – The best thin and light laptop
• Acer Nitro 5 – The best budget device
• Lenovo ThinkPad P16 – The powerhouse laptop
• Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G – The best surface device for trading
• HP Envy x360 – The best 2-in-1 trading machine
• Lenovo Legion Pro 5 – The best gaming laptop
• ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 – The best portable device

Dell XPS 15

According to our assessment, the 2022 Dell XPS 15 delivers laptop perfection. It features a combination of powerful performance and an elegant design. The included DDR5 RAM can easily handle the multiple windows, charts, or apps you need to use simultaneously. The excellent screen and sufficient power of the CPU make this one of the best laptops for stock trading.

Specifications

• CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i5 – i9
• Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti
• RAM: 8GB – 64GB
• Screen: 15.6-inch UHD+ (3,840 x 2,400p) touchscreen, 500-nit, non-OLED display
• Storage: 512GB – 4TB SSD

Pros

• Faster performance than ever
• Premium build quality
• Long battery life

Cons

• Limited graphics performance ceiling
• Still has a 720p webcam
• USB-C ports only but the adapter is included

M2 MacBook Air 15 

If you are a MacBook user then this laptop is the best choice for you. While there is the higher-end MacBook Pro 16, we don’t think the extra inch and the greater RAM are worth the additional $1000. With the MacBook Air, you will get enough RAM to handle all the multitasking you can throw at it. Similarly, the 15-inch screen is adequately large and it has excellent color reproduction for when you end up staring at it for hours.

Specifications

• CPU: Apple M2 chip (8-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine)
• Graphics: M2 includes a 10-core GPU
• RAM: 8GB as standard, 16GB and 24GB options
• Screen: 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display (2880×1864 resolution)
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB versions

Pros

• Blazing-fast performance
• Top-tier keyboard and trackpad
• Outstanding battery life

 Cons

• Supports just one external monitor
• Just two Thunderbolt 4 ports
• Zero options for upgradability or expandability after purchase

Asus Zenbook Pro Duo 15

You rarely see a dual screen that works. Therefore, the Zenbook Pro Duo is a unique option for those looking to add some excitement to their stock trading. The dual-screen setup and the included RAM allow for increased productivity while trading. Additionally, the machine comes with a powerful RTX GPU. This might not be useful for stock trading but it allows you to game on this laptop as well.

Specifications

• CPU: Intel Core i9-10980HK Processor 2.4 GHz
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU
• RAM: 8GB as standard, 16GB and 24GB options
• Screen: 15.6-inch 3840×2160 OLED display, secondary 14-inch 3840×1100 OLED matte display
• Storage: 1 TB PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD

Pros

• Useful dual-screen design
• Very good performance, even in combined workloads
• 2x Thunderbolt 3

Cons

• Awkward keyboard and touchpad
• Very loud fans, gaming only possible with headphones
• Soldered memory

LG Gram 17

For some people, portability can be crucial, and the LG Gram 17 certainly offers that. The 0.7-inch thickness is quite impressive given the specifications the Gram 17 has. Another addition to the best laptops for trading, this device is relatively light at 3.2 pounds. This makes it easy to transport, as long as you don’t mind the enormous 17-inch screen and wider dimensions. The laptop has a relatively powerful CPU and plenty of RAM, which should be more than enough to have as many apps open as you like.

Specifications

• CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i7-1360P
• Graphics: 4GB Nvidia RTX 3050
• RAM: 32GB DDR5 6,000MHz
• Screen: 4GB Nvidia RTX 3050
• Storage: 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD

Pros

• Remarkably light for a 17-inch laptop
• Big, beautiful 16:10 display with variable refresh
• Long battery life

Cons

• Flexible bordering on flimsy
• Awkward top-row keys
• Poor audio 

Acer Nitro 5 

The Acer Nitro 5 was introduced into the market as a competent budget gaming laptop. However, after testing by the Coinfomania team, we discovered it worked for more than just gaming. With its affordable price and capable specs, it also becomes the best budget laptop for stock trading. Combining the 12th Gen intel processor with a decent amount of upgradable RAM, you see how well this device can handle multiple trading apps. While the screen doesn’t match the quality of previous entries on the list, it is decent enough to manage all stock trading needs. The overall specs not only make this a budget laptop but also one of the best laptops for day traders.

Specifications

• CPU: Up to 12th Gen Intel i7 / AMD Ryzen 6000
• Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
• RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5
• Screen: 15.6 or 17-inch with 1920 by 1080 resolution
• Storage: Up to 1TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Pros

• Solid performance all around
• Well designed keyboard
• Excellent price

Cons

• Terrible battery life
• Its design is rather plain
• Slow recharge time

Lenovo ThinkPad P16

If you are more interested in performance than portability, then our team has found the right option for you. The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation has proven to be a juggernaut in the power and size department. This makes it ideal for use as a trading laptop in a single location. In our testing, we discovered that the full-size keyboard with a number pad was easy to type on. Moreover, the high-quality OLED panel proved to be bright and clear in every environment.

Specifications

• CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i7 – i9
• Graphics: Nvidia RTX A2000 – A4500
• RAM: 8GB – 32GB
• Screen: Up to 16″ WQUXGA (3840 x 2400), OLED, Dolby Vision, Touch, 100% DCI-P3, 400 nits
• Storage: 256GB – 512GB

Pros

• Gorgeous high-resolution screen
• World-class keyboard with number pad
• Impeccable build quality

Cons

• Bulky and heavy
• No Ethernet port
• Quite expensive compared to the competition

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 5G

The surface lineup can be hit or miss but the Surface Pro 9 5G falls completely in the hit category. This device is exceptional as a mobile workstation, especially with its 5G capabilities. It is also lightweight, thin, and fast enough for daily use in most environments. The tablet design and the stylus support also add more functionality to the device.

Specification

• CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
• RAM: 32 GB DDR5
• Screen: 18-inch ROG Nebula Display QHD+ 16:10, 240Hz, Dolby Vision HDR
• Storage: 1TB + 1TB PCIe® 4.0 NVMe™ M.2 Performance SSD

Pros

• Large, responsive screen
• Great battery life
• Built-in 5G

Cons

• ARM chip has some compatibility and stability issues
• The keyboard and pen cost extra
• Lacks support for powerful PC apps

HP Envy x360

The HP Envy x360 is a 2-in-1 laptop that delivers powerful performance at an affordable price. The effective AMD processor along with the included RAM should have no problem handling everyday trading tasks. This is the ideal day-trading laptop if you carry out most of your trading in web browsers instead of running intensive analytical software. This device is also a good laptop for traders if you want to use it as a tablet on the go.

Specification

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7730U
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• RAM: 16 GB
• Screen: 15.6″ FHD IPS
• Storage: 1 TB SSD

Pros

• Excellent productivity performance
• Quiet under most low to medium workloads
• Expandable RAM and M.2 storage

Cons

• Poor performance in Adobe applications
• No IR; not Windows Hello compatible
• Bloatware is annoying 

Lenovo Legion Pro 5

We all want a laptop that not only fulfills our primary trading needs but is also powerful enough to handle a little gaming on the side. This is why our team thoroughly tested the Lenovo Legion Pro 5.  The device packs a solid punch in the hardware department. However, it sacrifices battery life and portability as a result. The powerful performance and the high refresh rate screen deliver a smooth and snappy user experience, making it the best laptop for trading.

Specification

• CPU: AMD Ryzen7 7745HX
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX4060 8GB
• RAM: 32 GB DDR5
• Screen: 16″ WQXGA IPS
• Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

Pros

• User-upgradable RAM and storage
• Excellent hardware controls
• Support for up to 3 external monitors

Cons

• Middling battery life
• Fairly heavy at 5.4 pounds
• Poor mic and speakers

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a powerful laptop with a compact design, making it the finest lightweight laptop for stock market professionals.  Its fast refresh rate display and high-end specifications ensure that you never miss a trade. The Zephyrus G14 has a high price, but its performance and portability warrant the investment as a trader’s laptop.

Specification

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Screen: 14 Inches ,2560 x 1440 (QHD)
• Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

Pros

• Amazing mini-LED screen
• Impressive build
• Compact, lightweight design

Cons

• Expensive
• No 4K option
• Gets hot under heavy load 

How to Select the Right Stock Trading Laptop?

There are many factors you have to consider when choosing the best laptop for stock traders. Having an idea about all these factors will give you a better idea of which device fits your needs the best.

CPU Performance

You will want a sufficiently powerful CPU in your laptop for trading smoothly. You don’t want long loading times and slow performance to distract you from focusing on trading. However, your laptop doesn’t need to have a top-of-the-line CPU to handle stock trading.

RAM Requirements

Stock traders are constantly checking news across different websites and have multiple charts open simultaneously. This means that the best trading laptop has a large number of browser tabs open at any given moment, which can be heavy on RAM. Most experts recommend that you have 16 GB of RAM or more so that you can open multiple tabs without compromising on performance.

Screen Resolution

Similarly, if you mostly use your laptop in locations where you can’t access external monitors, it’s ideal to get a device with a high-resolution display and good viewing angles. Stock trading interfaces stuff a lot of information in very small spaces, so you don’t want to add strain to your eyes when looking at charts for longer periods.

Battery Life

Battery life is also a very important factor to consider when choosing a laptop for stock trading. However, this completely depends on where you mostly use the laptop. If you use your laptop primarily at home or at places where you can easily charge it, then a long battery life isn’t really important. On the other hand, if you are mostly trading on the go then battery life becomes an important consideration.

FAQs

Do you need a powerful laptop for trading?

You don’t necessarily need an expensive, powerful computer to trade well. While a fast and reliable computer can certainly be beneficial for executing trades quickly and efficiently, it’s not a strict requirement. Many successful traders use standard, mid-range computers for their trading activities.

What computers do stock traders use?

A midrange CPU will suffice for most stock traders. Reliability is important. Buy a computer with a good-quality processor and sufficient RAM from a reliable manufacturer.

What is the minimum laptop requirement for trading?

You will want to look for a device with at least 16 GB of RAM and an Intel i5 processor. A good quality large screen and sufficient battery life is also a big requirement.

Is trading better on a PC or laptop?

The answer to this depends on your specific requirements. A PC will be more powerful and give a faster trading experience especially if you are planning to stay in one place. Laptops come with increased portability and with today’s hardware laptops are capable of handling most trading tasks.

Conclusion

The stock trading world is incredibly fast-paced and it is constantly changing. If you don’t have access to the powerhouse computers of large corporations it does not mean that you will be left behind. Any individual trader needs a laptop that can keep up with the speed of the ever-changing market and allows you to work in any environment. Factors like RAM and CPU performance should be at the top of your considerations list but other specs can also be added to improve the overall package. In the end, the choice of the right laptop depends on your individual needs. We hope that this guide will help you find one that fulfills all of them.