One Big Screen or Multiple Smaller Screens?

[daveyjones 11]

I want to set up my very own trading war room - not because its practical or necessary, but because it will look incredibly cool. The most important aspect of my war room is, of course, an absolutely ridiculous amount of screen space. So would it be better to buy one very large screen or an array of smaller screens?

 

I can see the advantage of both. One large screen might be cheaper than multiple smaller screens and you wouldn't have to worry about mounting an array. On the other hand, it might get annoying having to resize each window individually - it would be much snappier just to drag a window to one of the smaller screens and hit the maximize button.

 

What do you think? Which would you pick?

[sevensa 10]

Didn't you ask in another thread about how to get a demo account with IB since you don't have the minimum deposit of 10K to open an account? So, you rather spend your money on something that look cool, but is not practical nor necessary instead of spending it to open an account and actual learn something and have potential to make you a better trader?

[AmCan1 10]

DaveyJones,

 

I have 4 monitors and I wish I had a couple more. I especially like my Gateway FPD2485W 24 inch because I can rotate it to a portail orientation. It takes a little getting used to but it is a great way to economize desk space. My others are landscape (horizontal) but in hindsight, I wish I just got all Gateways. Then I'd be able to have 6 monitors taking up abou the same space as 4 but with alot more screen space due to the portait orientation. Make sense?

[daveyjones 11]

Didn't you ask in another thread about how to get a demo account with IB since you don't have the minimum deposit of 10K to open an account? So, you rather spend your money on something that look cool, but is not practical nor necessary instead of spending it to open an account and actual learn something and have potential to make you a better trader?

 

I was joking! This post was just for fun. I'm interested to hear about other traders' setup. It's all pie in the sky for me at this point, but hopefully a reality in the future.

[daveyjones 11]

DaveyJones,

 

I have 4 monitors and I wish I had a couple more. I especially like my Gateway FPD2485W 24 inch because I can rotate it to a portail orientation. It takes a little getting used to but it is a great way to economize desk space. My others are landscape (horizontal) but in hindsight, I wish I just got all Gateways. Then I'd be able to have 6 monitors taking up abou the same space as 4 but with alot more screen space due to the portait orientation. Make sense?

 

Thanks for your comments. I'm curious, if you had one massive screen that gave you the same real estate as the six smaller screens, would you rather have that?

[AmCan1 10]

I like the big screen idea but my question would be about resolution. Just because the monitor is bigger doesn't mean you have more real estate. If the resolution was as tight as my Gateway, that would be real cool. But then, I'd end up wanting 4 of those! lol..

[daveyjones 11]

I like the big screen idea but my question would be about resolution. Just because the monitor is bigger doesn't mean you have more real estate. If the resolution was as tight as my Gateway, that would be real cool. But then, I'd end up wanting 4 of those! lol..

 

Good point. I'm usually disappointed with computer resolution on the larger monitors.

[brownsfan019 17]

If you want flash and something that will wow people when they walk into your room, I've found mounting a bunch of smaller monitors gets the wow factor. I think it's mainly b/c most people would never use something like that and it's like - WOW, look at all those, he must be important. I used to use (but still have) a 6 monitor stand with a 3x3 mount and to this day people get wowed by it.

 

At one point in my trading I thought I needed all of that too but as time has progressed and my focus has gotten better each year, I use less and less screen real estate to actually trade from. For now that monitor stand and monitors is a showy table decoration.

[Dinerotrader 10]

Thanks for your comments. I'm curious, if you had one massive screen that gave you the same real estate as the six smaller screens, would you rather have that?

 

I definitely think having more small screens is better. I think it is easier to manage multiple tasks by giving them their own screen than it is trying to use all the space on one large one.

[natedredd10 10]

At one point in my trading I thought I needed all of that too but as time has progressed and my focus has gotten better each year, I use less and less screen real estate to actually trade from. For now that monitor stand and monitors is a showy table decoration.

 

I've come to the point that 2 - 24 inch monitors and my old 19 inch mounted vertically is all I will let myself have. At some point displaying more data is actually going to make trade decisions more difficult. I figure if I feel like I need more space than this then I need to figure out a better way to interface with the data on the software side.

 

I picked up 2 second hand white boards off craigs list that I would highly recommend. There is just something about getting away from the computer to sketch out ideas on such a large surface, that can't be saved and isn't actually dealing with real data but just concepts that feels more contemplative. If you really want to be cool you can draw a bunch of charts and equations on the white board and load up the most wacky charts on your screens when you have a woman over...Can easily inflate your pnl by 10 to her and its simply impossible for her to question it...

I've never done that...of course......

[AmCan1 10]

Great! Good ideas and funny stuff!! I find for my own trading that I have one main monitor in front of me with the chart or charts I am currently trading from. I use a 2nd monitor for my order entry. I use my other monitors for experimenting with new ideas. I watch other charts that in no way will influence my trade decisions based on the main monitor in front of me. But if I have a steady system that I like to trade with (I do), I'll want to informally see how it performs on other markets and timeframes. A 3rd and 4th monitor is ideal for that purpose. Or, I'll want to keep track of new trade ideas and see how they are progressing. I can quickly add arrows or other markings on my chart in real time for future review. Also, I use one with my spreadsheet (the trade tracking element to my trading) to input my trades and track my results. So... Maybe I have a lot going on but I've found a rhyme and reason that works for me.

 

I agree with the white board idea, btw. I have a big one on my adjacent wall. I put quick reference stuff on there that I am too lazy to commit to memory. For example, futures contract month symbols, basic affirmation statements that help keep my head on straight, etc. I also keep a cheat sheet where I can quickly change decimals into fractions and vice versa for 30 yr TBond futures (again, too lazy to memorize the conversions..).

 

I also agree with the compartmentalization that smaller monitors give you. I hadn't thought of that until you mentioned it but now that I think about it, I have to agree with that.

[bathrobe 10]

I have been using a small whiteboard for notes on trading and levels, it helps a lot.

 

I currently use 2 monitors, 1 22" and 1 19", I am going to get 2 24" monitors and use the 19' I have for my dom's. I only trade the ES and I have 5 charts and some internal stats I watch but it feels very cramped. I could get away with 2 charts and the internals but like to see longer term charts as well.

 

So I would go for more monitors. If you are looking for deals, TigerDirect.com - Computers, Computer Parts, Computer Components, Netbooks & Electronics has some great prices on monitors and graphics cards.

[AmCan1 10]

Thanks for the links Bathrobe. I've bought from Tigerdirect before. They are very good. In fact, that's where I got my laptop for trading while traveling. My wife thought I was nuts when I packed a 22" monitor to take with it. lol.. Trying to trade with one monitor is like trying to win a one legged butt kicking contest - and you're the only one hopping around on one leg. Or to put it another way, would you try to compete in a Nascar race with a horse and buggy? The competition has the best tools. If you're a serious trader, it's wise to arm yourself with pro tools, imo. Trading is hard enough without having to deal with equipment handycaps.

[WorldTrader 10]

My setup is 2 computers and 2 monitors each. All about 21 inch monitors. I just saw that they have some cheap 25 and 28 inch monitors for only $289. So, I would love to have that extra space.

I can put about 3 or 4 charts on each monitor and still see everything I want to. I love the second machine as I can have a trading platform on that and maybe a live room I am watching.

[AmCan1 10]

Sounds like a good set up WorldTrader. I too use multiple computers in addition to my main trade computer with the 4 monitors. I have a mac to my right. I use that for research I may need to do in real time including the forexfactory.com news calendar, IM, emails and an excel spreadsheet for some custom stuff I use. I also have a couple laptops behind me that I use for trade related stuff, including webinars, trade rooms, iTunes, etc. Always a lot going on. My trade office looks like a space shuttle cockpit, lol..

[UrmaBlume 10]

Our traders focus on different information from different indicators, markets and time frames to make their trade decisions. As their trades are of higher than average intra-session frequency it helps for their "muscle memory" to know where each bit of information is located so we use more separate monitors rather than changing pictures on fewer screens. All of our traders have at least 8 screens and the stars run 12 as shown below:

 

 

Good Luck

[tjnoon 10]

That's a very cool photo. I can see myself making use of that kind of screen real estate. All you need now is a view of the sea, or some other spectacular site out your window, and you're set. lol..

[Guest Tresor]

One big monitor vs a multiple small ones - use mutiple monitors as one screen on a single graphics card. Go for this: Samsung and ATI team on SyncMaster MD230 mega-displays for wide-eyed gamers -- Engadget

[daedalus 10]

I just upgraded my trading (and lets be honest, gaming) rig and went with 3 23" widescreens running off an ATI eyefinity card.

 

I had previously been trading off a 15" laptop for years. Holy smokes i'm in heaven. I can see everything so clear, have charts up, dom's on a different screen, and the internet/movie/whatever on another.

 

Best investment i've made in a long time.

 

But until I get you a picture of my new setup (I had to RMA the motherboard) heres a photo I found awhile back and saved...

 

Probably the only thing that can trump UrmaBlume

 

[daveyjones 11]

Wow. I can picture this guy at the store... "and I'd like 24 of these monitors, please"

[Tams 20]

Wow. I can picture this guy at the store... "and I'd like 24 of these monitors, please"

 

that guy's Maestro, and he has more than one of these trading stations.

[AmCan1 10]

That's a great photo! Watch out Irma. Got some competition there. As I said earlier, sadly, I still only have 4 monitors. Two more would be great. I have two Nvidea cards, each one driving two monitors.

 

By the way, it's also important to have an emergency back up plan. Here's mine.

[cuttshot 11]

I currently have 3 monitors at the moment and it just isn't enough. In the process of getting a second computer with 4 more monitors. Will go down to 2 monitors on the old computer for a total of 6.

 

To start out you should be fine with 2 monitors as it will force you to focus on just a few markets (in your case it will also give you more cash to trade with). However as you continue to branch out with your trading you will find the most frustrating situation is when you have to scroll between charts. I have missed numerous trades here recently because of a lack of screen real estate.

 

To answer your question I would definatelt go with multiple smaller monitors. They are so cheap these days that it really doesn't take much to get a 4 screen setup.

[AldPixto 10]

You could study SciFi movies to see some designs for your trading setup. For example, in the first Star Wars movie they a large video switcher as the controller for the Death Star weapon. Do a google image search for "Trading Desk". Add points for having something that looks like a Bloomberg console, deduct points for watching CNBC. Leave some statements with multi-million dollar (winning) trades. Tear out a classified page from the back of the Robb Report and circle the next boat or airplane you're going to buy, and keep of photo of you shaking hands with the President (or ex-President) of any big country on your desk. Keep a good sense of humor and good luck with your trading.

[WorldTrader 10]

How can anyone look at all of those! I just added another 24 inch, got it at compusa 24" viewsonic $189. A nice monitor.