Best Laptop for Stock Trading: Which One Should You Buy?

Through the years, I’ve noticed how stock trading and FOREX trading have started to become lucrative businesses. It’s a game of the mind that requires your time and attention.

But to be the best stock trader out there, you need to have the best laptop with impressive processing power to get you going.

Today, I will be reviewing some of the best laptops for stock trading that you need to get your hands on! Keep reading and find out more!

Top 8 Must-Have Laptops for Stock Trading

Before we dive into the reviews, here is the COMPLETE LIST of the 8 BEST laptops you must consider buying.

Asus VivoBook S – Best Overall

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Key Features

• CPU: Intel Core i7-8550U
• Display: 15.6″ FHD WideView display
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 128GB SSD Storage and 1TB HDD

Large but Portable

Coming in strong in this roundup review is the Asus VivoBook S.

Hold on to your seats because this laptop sports a 15.6″ FHD WideView NanoEdge display and ultra-narrow bezel.

This windows laptop has a huge full HD display we’re sure you’ll love. Thanks to its outstanding display, the colors on the screen look very RICH, VIVID, and BOLD!

Indeed, looking at all your stock charts wouldn’t be a sight for sore eyes anymore. You’ll have something delightful to look at this time!

For a laptop with a huge display, you might think that the Asus VivoBook S is heavy. Well, it hardly is.

Thanks to its thin body, this laptop weighs a total of ONLY 3.7 pounds. It’s a PORTABLE laptop you can bring wherever you need to go.

Impressive Storage

Probably one of the most impressive things I noticed about the Asus VivoBook S is its STORAGE. Not only does it sport a 138GB SSD, but it also has a 1TB HDD.

That means working and opening various windows will feel like a breeze. No more lags and unwanted crashes anymore!

You literally have the powers in your hand to install and run as many programs as you want.

The 1TB HDD will also come in handy, especially if you’ve got a ton of personal files (movies, photos, music, etc.) you need to store.

And if 1TB is not enough, you’ve got cloud storage to fall back on.

Expensive

So far, everything sounds spectacular about the Asus VivoBook S.

What’s the catch?

Well, it’s NOT a cheap laptop, that’s for sure. It costs about $1,000, so it isn’t the most budget-friendly option out there.

If you’re not yet ready to spend that much, this might not be for you.

For advanced traders who are ready to go all-in, this is one of the best and most reliable laptops you can get with a decent processor and impressive storage capabilities.

Pros

• Backlit keyboard
• Lightweight laptop
• Intel HD graphics card
• NanoEdge display

Cons

• Expensive

Apple MacBook Air – Best Value

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Key Features

• CPU: 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i7
• Display: 13.3″ LED-backlit Retina display
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD Storage

Impressive Battery

Who doesn’t know what Apple is these days?

Since its inception, Apple has been one of the go-to technologies of some people and loyal fans for an excellent reason.

I, for one, am a big fan of Apple because of the superior battery power they have over their laptops. Take the MacBook Air, for example!

A single charge can get me up to 6 hours of use, or even up to 8 hours if I’m not working on anything heavy.

The same goes for other Apple laptops. Their battery is always RELIABLE and SUPREME.

So if you don’t want to worry about the battery power of your laptop, Apple’s long battery life will surely convince you to get this one.

Fast Performance

Another thing I love about Apple is how fast and smooth the operations are. I rarely experience lags, bugs, or crashes, making my MacBook my favorite go-to device for work.

If you plan to run trading software on your device, the MacBook can surely do the job right. However, do note that the MORE software you run simultaneously, the SLOWER the performance may get.

This is especially true if you choose a version of the MacBook with a smaller RAM.

Small Screen

The only bad thing I’d have to say about the MacBook is that its screen is pretty AVERAGE, measuring only 13.3 inches.

It’s a pretty decent size, to be fair, but not large enough for professionals looking at multiple charts at a time.

But you can always find a way to work around this problem. Some people, for example, use external computer screens and cast their displays.

They end up having a BIGGER screen and lets them open more apps at the same time.

Pros

• Truetone technology
• Backlit keyboard
• Fast and reliable performance
• Tried and tested

Cons

• Small display size

Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Best Budget Pick

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Key Features

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Dual-Core Processor
• Display: 15.6″ full HD IPS display
• RAM: 4GB DDR4 graphics card
• Storage: 128GB PCIe NVMe SSD

Affordable Price

The Acer Aspire 5 made it to this list because of its PRICE POINT. It’s significantly cheaper than the other laptops I’ve named and will name in this list, which won’t break your bank.

Professional traders looking for a good and premium laptop to work with will have a lot of fun with the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop.

Don’t be deceived by its price point, because this one has laptop features that’ll make a run for your money.

It sports a powerful processor, making sure you’ve got an impressive performance to come back to each time. Just because it’s an affordable laptop doesn’t mean you can’t get the best.

Acer claims that this laptop has a strong battery power, which I have yet to test.

Premium Look and Design

When you think of budget laptops, you probably have in mind those old bulky and clunky things. Well, that’s a thing of the past now, especially with the Acer Aspire 5 out in the market.

This budget laptop has a beautifully sleek and premium design that can easily pass as a $1,000 laptop. And I’m not even kidding!

The silver tones make it pleasing in the eyes, which is easy to look at even after many hours! Couple this with the LARGE 15.6″ display, and you’re all set!

Performance Needs Some Work

Notwithstanding its great looks and affordable price tag, the Acer Aspire 5 isn’t the best when it comes to PERFORMANCE.

On average, this laptop is ideal for people who are doing essential work and running basic programs.

But for heavy stock traders who need to run more than one stock trading software at a time, this is where the issue may come up.

Trading stocks in this laptop is possible, but it DOESN’T provide the most seamless performance out there.

Pros

• Strong battery life
• Impressive connectivity features
• Highly affordable
• Big beautiful display

Cons

• Performance not as powerful as other laptops

Lenovo Flex 14 Convertible Laptop

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Key Features

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Processor
• Display: 4 Inch FHD Touchscreen Display
• RAM: 12GB DDR4 RAM
• Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD

Laptop and Tablet in One

If you’re tired of tracking the stock market changes on your laptop, consider switching things up with the Lenovo Flex 14.

Perhaps one of the notable features this laptop has is its convertible feature. It works like a regular laptop and converts to a tablet in one single move! Impressive right?

The beauty of this is that you can easily mark and draw on your screen with ease! Just pair your laptop tablet with the Active Pen, and you’re all set.

Not to mention, creating charts and marking figures are A LOT SIMPLER this time around, thanks to the tablet function.

Large Storage Space

With 256GB of SSD storage, what more can I ask for? It’s practically more than enough for all your stock trading activities!

Couple it with the 12GB of RAM, and you’re all set. Day trading will go on like a breeze, and running your trading software won’t take ages.

This is one of the best laptops for stock trading you can get for less than $700.

Not bad, considering you’re already getting a laptop and a table in one.

The ONLY DOWNSIDE is you’ll have to spend a little extra on the Active Pen for better functionality.

Battery Life Problems

This laptop boasts of having a long battery life of up to 10-hours. But is this claim true, or is it just all talk?

To be honest, I’m on the fence on this one because the Lenovo Flex 14 did provide me with decent battery power.

Was it as long as it is claimed? Well, not exactly.

Some users even report that they’re pretty dissatisfied with the battery life of this one.

So when you’re off for a stock trading meeting, don’t forget to pack the charger in your bag and find a power outlet near you.

Besides that, business is as usual for you!

Pros

• Laptop and tablet in one
• Powerful performance
• Large display
• Large RAM

Cons

• Battery life could be improved

LG Gram Laptop

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Key Features

• CPU: Intel 10th Gen Core i5
• Display: 14″ Full HD IPS
• RAM: 8GB DDR4 2666MHz
• Storage: 256GB NVMeTM SSD Storage

18.5 Hours Battery Life

I don’t know about you, but the best laptop for stock trading has to be one that can match my performance – even if I’m pulling an all-nighter.

So imagine my delight when I came across the LG Gram Laptop . Truth be told, this laptop doesn’t look anything spectacular. It looks just like any laptop out there.

Who would’ve thought then that this laptop has an impressive battery life that can last up to 21 hours? Yes, you read that right!

The LG Gram is one of the best laptops for stock trading, especially if you’re going to be on the laptop for almost the whole day.

With 18.5 hours of power, you’ve got 5 and a half hours to sleep and business as usual right after.

HD IPS Display

Again, the unassuming looks of the LG Gram don’t make it a prime candidate for the best laptop for trading stocks.

But once you’ve powered on this laptop, boy-oh-boy, you sure are in for a treat. The full HD IPS display lets you see every slight change on your chart.

Running any trading software on this laptop will be a delight, thanks to its impressive graphics!

If you’re not using it for stock trading, its built-in specs will make you consider using this as a gaming laptop.

Playing games will surely be a treat in this one.

Expensive Laptop

What’s the catch?

Well, this unassuming laptop comes at a pretty steep price point – approximately $1,100.

That’s quite expensive and costs nearly three times as much as the Acer Aspire 5. If you’re not yet ready to make such a big purchase, then the LG Gram might not be for you.

But if you’re serious with your work and want the best laptop for stock trading, this should be one of your top picks.

Pros

• Large HD screen
• Powerful RAM
• Long and best battery life
• Durable and long-lasting device

Cons

• Heavier than most laptops

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

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Key Features

• CPU: Intel Core i7
• Display: 14″ FHD display
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD Storage

The Notebook of the Year

The Lenovo ThinkPad has always been a crowd favorite thanks to its reliable and consistent features through the years.

This is why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the X1 Carbon boasts of the same reliable and impressive qualities and then some!

Thanks to its Intel Core i7 processor, you can practically run any stock trading app on this computer without experiencing any problems.

All you’ll have is a fast and smooth operation for when you monitor the stock market.

Laptop for Stock Trading and Gaming

Besides being one of the best laptops for stock trading, the X1 Carbon also makes the best gaming device.

Day traders can quickly transform into gamers at night when all their work is done and settled. How exciting!

If you’re not into gaming, you can load in all your movies and watch them on the beautiful HD display of this Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Laptop, High.... What more can you ask for?

Forgivable Setbacks

For such an expensive laptop, you’d think this laptop is without faults. Well, you can’t have it all, as they say.

First, we wished the X1 Carbon had MORE screen real estate. 14″ isn’t bad at all, but it would have been better if it were BIGGER considering all the laptop’s impressive features.

Second, some users report hearing a rattling noise on the inside of the laptop, which might sound unsettling for others.

When this happens, consider having a professional take a look at your device.

Pros

• Comes from a reliable brand and series
• Very powerful
• Impressive display and speakers
• Easy on the eyes

Cons

• A little heavy for a laptop

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Key Features

• CPU: Intel Core 8th Gen i7
• Display: 13.3″ 4K Ultra HD InfinityEdge touch display
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD

Go-to Average Laptop

Another household name when it comes to reliable laptop brands is Dell. The XPS series has been well-loved for many years.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that it made it to this list.

In general, I’d consider this Dell laptop one of the best trading laptops you can get out there. It has the basic features you’d want, such as the baseline Intel Core i7, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD.

But is it spectacular?

Some would say that it’s pretty average, considering its price point. For me, I think it’s more than enough for traders who are doing the basic work.

You can run multiple stock trading programs at a time without any problems, but take note that the 8GB RAM has its limits.

UHD Display

If it isn’t apparent enough, I love HD displays, and viewing experience makes up 70% of my criteria.

So imagine my delight when I heard that this laptop sports a UHD display. For everyday use, the UHD display may sound fancy and extreme. Who needs that?

But for the best trading laptop, a UHD display is essential. Just think of all the clear, rich, and robust colors on your screen!

However, I do wish that the screen came at a bigger size.

Loud Fan

When you’re so serious about what you’re doing, sometimes you hardly notice the changes and noise going on around you. But once you do, the noise starts becoming more annoying and pressing.

That’s what I noticed with this laptop.

At some point, the fans’ loud whirring can disrupt you with your work.

Is it a deal-breaker for me? Well, not really.

I just wished that the sound would go away on its own.

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Pros

• Powerful Intel Core operating systems
• Various connectivity features like SD card reader, USB-C, and more
• Touchscreen function
• Fingerprint reader

Cons

• Annoying fan sound

HP Spectre 13.3-Inch Laptop

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Key Features

• CPU: Quad-Core 8th Gen Intel Core i7
• Display: 13.3 IPS micro-edge touchscreen corning gorilla
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB PCle NVMe SSD

Gorilla Glass Display

What makes the HP Spectre stand out is its gorilla glass display.

It’s tough and durable, so you don’t have to expect its screen to get scratched or blacking out anytime soon.

And it’s probably for the best, considering that the HP Spectre is a 2-in-1 laptop. It’s a tablet and laptop in one, so you can pretty much get the best of both worlds whenever you want!

Mark your graphs, highlight your documents, no problem!

You can do everything you want with ease. Now, this wouldn’t be possible without the impressive 16GB DDR4 of RAM and powerful operating system.

Nothing can stop you now.

Thunderbolt Port

Transferring files from your laptop to your external devices can be a hassle. This is especially true for people who haven’t experienced the wonders of using thunderbolt ports.

The HP Spectre sports all the new and improved ports you’d want in a laptop for a fast and seamless data transfer.

No more waiting around, and certainly no more crying out of frustration the next time you need to do something.

Battery Power

Everything about the HP Spectre is to die for EXCEPT for the battery power. I wish its battery life could be longer, considering all potential this 2-in-1 device has.

It’s quite a hassle to keep charging this device, especially if I am using tablet mode.

Some would say to keep this HP Spectre plugged in to avoid the hassle altogether, but I don’t want to compromise the battery life of my device in the end.

Pros

• Light laptop
• One of the best laptops for long term use
• Convertible laptop
• Touch screen

Cons

• Battery power could be better considering its price

A Stock Traders Guide to Finding the Best Laptops for Stock Trading

I always thought stock traders needed a fancy and expensive laptop for their business.

However, after doing a little research of my own, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that isn’t always the case.

Instead, stock traders should be on the lookout for the features of their potential trading computer.

Now, to make your life a lot easier, I’ve listed down some of the most basic features your laptop must have.

Battery Life

Battery life is ALWAYS important whether you plan to use your laptop for stock trading or personal use.

It should be the least of your concerns, and you shouldn’t constantly be worrying about not having enough battery on your laptop.

Admittedly, one of the drawbacks laptops have is that you’ll always need a power outlet near you.

Let’s face it. It’s such a hassle to think of, especially when you’re busy managing multiple stock investments.

That said, a good laptop for stock trading should give you up to six to fourteen hours of battery power. Before you say that’s impossible, let me tell you now that it is.

There’s a variety of laptops that offer an extended battery life, and you want to keep your eyes glued to those.

CPU

If there’s one important feature you should always look at in laptops, it’s always the CPU. It makes or breaks the performance of your laptop, so you’ll need to be picky.

Just imagine what happens when you choose a trading laptop with a poor CPU! It’ll keep crashing, and I bet it can hardly keep up with the demands you want.

On average, an Intel i7 6-Core CPU should be more than enough for trading laptops. It may sound a bit too much, but you should go for this if you want the best trading experience.

Nevertheless, laptops running on an i3 and i5 will work just as you’d want! It’s all a matter of how much processing power you need.

So before you go around and purchase the first laptop you see, always think of how much work you’re trying to do.

Display Quality and Size

Do you need a big display, or does a small laptop screen suffice? Do you have to choose a screen with flawless imaging quality?

The answer is all up to you.

But if you’d ask me, I’d always go for a laptop with a bigger screen and impressive image quality.

Why? Well, you’d be looking at your computer the whole day! Not to mention, you’d be looking at different charts all day!

Just imagine how hard and laborious it’d be on your end when it’s time to analyze charts and make sense of what’s going on.

You’ll have to fit all your windows in a small display. Or what about trying to painstakingly survive with a laptop that has poor display quality. YIKES!

Remember, as a stock trader, you’ll be spending most of your days glued in front of your laptop screen.

It’s IMPERATIVE want a laptop that provides the BEST COMFORT to your eyes.

RAM

How much RAM do you need for a trading laptop? Will 6GB to 16GB of RAM suffice?

It depends.

16GB of RAM may be too much for NORMAL USERS, especially if they’re running the basic apps.

But for STOCK TRADERS, 16GB of RAM may be the baseline. And why is that?

Well, when it comes to stock trading, you’ll most likely end up installing and running a variety of charting software on your computer.

With ONLY 6GB of RAM, your laptop will most likely crash.

16GB? Now that’s the sweet spot you should pursue. You can even go as high as 32GB if you have the budget, of course.

Does that mean laptops running on lower RAM are at a disadvantage? YES and NO.

The answer? IT DEPENDS on how many apps and software you plan on running at a time.

You’ll notice this in the performance of your computer, which I’m sure we’ll make you consider getting a higher RAM later on.

Storage

These days, there’s a lot of storage options at your disposal. Now, you’ve got laptops that offer up to 1TB of SSDs or HDDs!

It may sound like a lot, but it does come in handy in the future.

The ONLY DRAWBACK with getting a laptop with BIGGER storage capabilities is the PRICE. Laptops tend to be more expensive the higher storage it has.

Price

Let’s face it.

Price is always an important consideration. Well, more of a limitation actually in my case.

Regardless of what you’re looking for, set a budget for yourself. How much are you willing to spend on a laptop?

Now, you don’t have to worry about not finding the best laptop for stock trading if you’re working with a small budget.

You’d be surprised that there are several budget laptops out there that won’t break your bank!

But if you’ve got a little extra in your pockets and are willing to invest in a trading laptop that can last you years, go for gold and choose the best.

Top Picks: Recommended Trading Laptops

I’ve named quite a number of the best laptops for stock trading in this list, and you might be wondering which I enjoyed the most.

To answer that question, THREE LAPTOPS won my heart for today:

1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
2. Apple MacBook Air
3. Asus VivoBook S

Best Budget Pick: Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop

Are you running on a tight budget? Are the other 7 laptops out of your reach?

Fear not because the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop can keep up with the other laptops despite its budget-friendly price point.

Its sleek design and chic look will make you feel like you own a preppy and stylish laptop.

I also can’t forget how the high-performance processor ensures you won’t be laggy in any of your trading sessions.

Opening multiple trading apps might slow down the laptop speed, but other than that, this is a solid option if you don’t really need a high-end laptop.

Runner Up: Apple MacBook Air

You couldn’t find a flexible laptop as reliable as the Apple MacBook Air.

This device has a special place in my heart because I know for a fact that whatever work I’m doing, the MacBook Air won’t fail me.

Starting with its impressive battery power and operating system, you’ll be able to see the end of your work each day.

Although I hope this device came with a bigger screen, it’s nevertheless forgivable when you come to think of all the awesome features this laptop contains.

Winner: Asus VivoBook S

When it comes to making the best laptops, Asus certainly knows what it’s doing. It has a wide selection of laptops at different price points. I’m sure you’ll find something for yourself.

The Asus VivoBook S is certainly not an exception to the greatness you can expect from Asus.

This laptop comes with an impressive operating system, sporting 8GB of RAM, 128GB SSD Storage, and a massive 1TB HDD.

What can get better than that? It may come with quite a price, and it’s certainly worth it at the end of the day because of all the functionality you get in return.

Final Words

Alright! That pretty much sums up my review of the best laptops for stock trading, and I hope you found the best one for you.

The laptops I’ve mentioned are pretty diverse and varied, so finding one for yourself wouldn’t be so hard.

I hope you enjoyed this review! Feel free to like and share this article with your stock trader friends who might just be looking for their next best laptop.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments, and I’ll be more than happy to answer them.

Happy trading!