The contrast/clarity is superb. I have to tone down the contrast/colour as it's so bright compared to the other 2 LCD displays.
The contrast/clarity is superb. I have to tone down the contrast/colour as it's so bright compared to the other 2 LCD displays.
montmorencyt2w
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Thanks for the info on LED screens. I would not have thought of these.
0007
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NB. PC-savvy traders will probably know this anyway:
Connecting up multi-monitors - having myself recently gone from 2 to 3 necessitated a bit of research on the options - this may be of use if you're thinking of going multi-screen. Some options:
1. Go the gold-plated route and get (or upgrade) a PC with a graphics card(s) that can cope with 2/3/4 monitors. Setup easy with the included software. Possibly a bit pricey depending on your spec.
2. If you have an old/spare PC/laptop hook it up to a monitor and choose from following:
a. http://synergy-foss.org/ - bit fiddly to configure but great fun if you like IT challenges!
b. http://www.inputdirector.com/ - this is superb, works a treat, dead easy to set up in just a few minutes -- my recommendation.
Because the system requires networking of the 2 (or more) PCs you will need a router to connect both PCs (but you've almost certainly got one of those for your broadband and they usually have four ethernet ports or you could connect wirelessly if you require further IT challenges). This has the benefit of using an old PC which will suffice for most trading, and ensures a spare PC up and running should your main one fail (but it won't replace your broadband connection unless you have mobile WiFi also). If you're using a laptop with a half-decent battery you will also have a quasi- uninterruptible power supply. Also,don't forget to configure your laptop so that it outputs to the main monitor only and not the laptop screen, seeing as you will now want to shut the lid and hide it away under your desk! (or you can of course just use the laptop's screen as another monitor seeing as some of them are now mega-big).
I've got this setup with a netbook and my main PC (2 monitors connected via its own graphics card) and it works extremely well -- especially with the new Microsoft ARC smallish keyboard (50 quid at PC World or £33 on Amazon). Do note of course, that although the mouse & kbd work across all monitors, what you display on the various monitors depends on which PC they're connected to. Unlike the gold-plate option you can't display any window on any monitor - but then you'd only have one PC running. Pays yer money takes yer choice!
Connecting up multi-monitors - having myself recently gone from 2 to 3 necessitated a bit of research on the options - this may be of use if you're thinking of going multi-screen. Some options:
1. Go the gold-plated route and get (or upgrade) a PC with a graphics card(s) that can cope with 2/3/4 monitors. Setup easy with the included software. Possibly a bit pricey depending on your spec.
2. If you have an old/spare PC/laptop hook it up to a monitor and choose from following:
A. Have two separate keyboards and mice for the 2 PCs (works okay unless you try to operate one of the PCs with the other's keyboard)
B. Purchase KVM hardware which will enable you toggle between the two computers using just one keyboard and one mouse - having connected it all up and found some deskspace.
C. Use a software solution to make use of just one keyboard and one mouse, with the mouse & kbd operating across all monitors (as many as you want) as if working from a dedicated graphics card.
For the last option I've found 2 pieces of software which will do the job (both open source and cost-free for private use):B. Purchase KVM hardware which will enable you toggle between the two computers using just one keyboard and one mouse - having connected it all up and found some deskspace.
C. Use a software solution to make use of just one keyboard and one mouse, with the mouse & kbd operating across all monitors (as many as you want) as if working from a dedicated graphics card.
a. http://synergy-foss.org/ - bit fiddly to configure but great fun if you like IT challenges!
b. http://www.inputdirector.com/ - this is superb, works a treat, dead easy to set up in just a few minutes -- my recommendation.
Because the system requires networking of the 2 (or more) PCs you will need a router to connect both PCs (but you've almost certainly got one of those for your broadband and they usually have four ethernet ports or you could connect wirelessly if you require further IT challenges). This has the benefit of using an old PC which will suffice for most trading, and ensures a spare PC up and running should your main one fail (but it won't replace your broadband connection unless you have mobile WiFi also). If you're using a laptop with a half-decent battery you will also have a quasi- uninterruptible power supply. Also,don't forget to configure your laptop so that it outputs to the main monitor only and not the laptop screen, seeing as you will now want to shut the lid and hide it away under your desk! (or you can of course just use the laptop's screen as another monitor seeing as some of them are now mega-big).
I've got this setup with a netbook and my main PC (2 monitors connected via its own graphics card) and it works extremely well -- especially with the new Microsoft ARC smallish keyboard (50 quid at PC World or £33 on Amazon). Do note of course, that although the mouse & kbd work across all monitors, what you display on the various monitors depends on which PC they're connected to. Unlike the gold-plate option you can't display any window on any monitor - but then you'd only have one PC running. Pays yer money takes yer choice!
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LED's look great but be aware that many of them do not have VESA mounts, which you may want if you have multiple monitors. I was going to buy LED's but this kept me from doing it and the LED monitor that i found with a VESA mount was about $100 more each so I went with lcd's. Also keep in mind when you are looking for multiple monitors how big the bezel is. I had some HP's that had an amazing picture but the bezel was huge and it left about a 4" gap between monitors, and I hated it.
have an 8 x 22" monitor set up specially built by multiple monitors in the uk and since I have been trading would not want to trade on anything else, in fact would like more screens if I could lol paid around £3000 for the complete system and considering that the monitor stand cost arouind £800 alone is a good price, looked at buying components to do it myself and could not match the price.
iota
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I think I'd go blind with 8 monitors.
SpiritBeing
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never.........:!::!::!::!:
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Hotch
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good luck!
Wow, that's awesome! I'm currently just using 2 monitors. I use one just for charts and order execution and then the other primarily for running live stock scans with StockVision. I might get a 3rd monitor though for additional chart space.
This is just to get a backup pc connected to the keyboard and mouse right? Otherwise it makes no sense.
For the price of a KVM switch or little more, you can buy a Dualhead2Go external graphics card that plugs into any PC via USB. I thought about upgrading my 5 year old PC and everything just to trade on multiple monitors but bought one of these instead and it works 100%. I now have 3 screens, 17" Laptop, 24" monitor attached to laptop direct and 19" monitor attached to external card. The monitors were the only expense but 1 i had already. All work as if they were one long monitor. The screen size differences are the only issue but not from a technical point of view.
To ensure a second connection if the internet goes down, get a USB stick with mobile internet and plug that into the laptop too. Failing that, set stops for emergencies and have the broker Number / App 0n your phone.
The 2Gb of Ram and 32Mb graphics card in the Laptop are still more than enough for trading. The requirements are not massive as the graphics are basic.
If i were the OP, i would get good at trading first, then treat myself with some of the winnings as a reward. If he already is, then go on a shopping spree, someone else is paying! i probably contributed to it myself via my "gifts" to the market!
0007
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Absolutely! It's just a cost-free solution (sort of) to the OP's problem. It also enables you to display multi-screens at no cost providing you don't need to run them all off one PC.
I now have a 4 screen setup run from 2 PCs (2 screens each) which gives me backup and separates various programs according to some specialised (non-trading) requirements I have.
Ideally, you decide what you need for trading and procure the cheapest / most cost-effective solution. I see it as a business cost - just like failed trades!
Agreed.
Have you tried Dexpot though? This lets you have 2 separate Desktops on the one PC. You switch just by clicking a button. Keeps it all separate. That way you could run all 4 monitors in both environments instead of 2+2.
Although, if your non Trading needs are memory/CPU intensive then it makes sense not to run the risk of your trading PC freezing up cos of some other Program running at the same time.
0007
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Sounds interesting - must take a look.
On a separate note: anyone looking for a value 18.5" monitor - take a look at this offering from Amazon, £70 each delivered to your door. http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-W1946S-W...9WKY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299240191&sr=8-1 I was unable to better this and bought 2 - can't fault them for basic use. They just slot in nicely underneath my desk (glass top) - so much easier to view downwards as opposed to craning neckwise upwards above the 2 mons already on my desk.
AppleInvestor
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There's no better way to stay informed with all the information you need, than to have a multi-=monitor setup. I'd go further to say that a Macintosh-based setup is far superior to a Windows-only setup.
I run parallels with Windows 7, and can run multiple virtual Windows machines along side my Mac. I use Windows 7 for software that will only run Windows, and I use the mac for EVERYTHING ELSE! Makes me far more productive.
I also recommend having one or more big screen LED TVs to show financial news, like CNBC and Bloomberg. You can also hook a Mac Mini up to these through its HDMI port.
-ernie
