Key takeaways
- Take a second screen. A 15.6-inch USB-powered travel monitor runs off the laptop's USB port with no separate power cable, weighs about 2.3 lb and fits in a laptop bag. Trading on the laptop screen alone is the fastest route to frustration.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi. Plug in wherever you can — look for hotels offering wired access, and pack an ethernet cable. Public networks are a risk to both security and execution.
- Put a password on the laptop, and on genuinely sensitive files. If it is stolen, that is the difference between losing hardware and losing everything on it.
- Use a wired mouse. Not the touchpad, and preferably not wireless — flat batteries and dropped connections are the two failure modes you cannot afford. If you must go wireless, pack a wired spare.
- Turn the touchpad off. A thumb brushing it mid-entry jumps your cursor into another field. Some laptops disable it automatically when a mouse is connected; many do not.
- Learn the function keys. On EZ laptops, fn-F7 blanks every screen instantly — useful when someone walks in — and fn-F2 switches on Airplane mode.
- Not sure where your machine stands? The free benchmark test takes about two minutes.
1. Use Multiple Monitors (Yes, you can!)
In a previous post, I showed how much your productivity increases when you trade with a multi-monitor system. I can't think of a single experienced trader who doesn't have this sort of set-up in their 'home' office. But did you know you can get compact, lightweight travel monitors to take on the road? We sell a 15.6-inch USB-powered travel monitor that connects directly to your laptop's USB port. It doesn't require a separate power cable, it can stand horizontally or vertically, it weighs just 2.3 lbs, and it fits in a laptop bag (14.8 x 9.3 x 1.4 inches). Don't try to trade using nothing but your laptop screen. Either your trade performance will suffer, or you'll just plain go nuts!2. Avoid Using Wi-Fi and Take Security Measures
Even when you're traveling, and Wi-Fi is all around you, I still recommend you plug into the Internet whenever possible. Using a public Wi-Fi to trade is just too risky, for both security and performance reasons. It leaves you vulnerable to a possible hacker getting access to your personal information. Look for hotels that offer wired access. On business trips, I typically rent a temporary office just so I can plug in. And don't forget to pack a blue Ethernet cable. Another good security measure is to make sure you use a system password on your laptop. In the worst-case scenario, if your laptop is stolen, this will slow down a thief not having immediate access to your files. If you have very sensitive or confidential documents stored, try adding file passwords for even more security.3. Use a Wired Mouse
I don't know about you, but I can navigate about 10x faster with a mouse. I wouldn't consider using my laptop's touchpad for trading. That being said, I recommend you use a wired mouse, rather than a wireless model, with your laptop. The two biggest reasons are unpredictable batteries and connectivity issues. Either of these things can create serious problems for your trading performance. If you absolutely insist on using a wireless mouse, please at least consider packing a backup wired mouse. Or, at the very least, pack an extra AA battery.4. Turn Off Your Touchpad
Have you ever had this happen? You're entering information in a form on your laptop. Suddenly your mouse jumps to a completely different field. You have to stop, erase what you just typed into the wrong field, and find your place again. What happened? Your left thumb and palm have inadvertently activated the touchpad. It's maddening. Many laptop users don't realize you can turn off your touchpad so it's not creating problems like this. Depending on your laptop model, sometimes your touchpad will turn off when you plug in a mouse. But this isn't always the case. Turning off the touchpad works differently depending on the laptop manufacturer and model. Sometimes you have to change a setting via the Control Panel. (Check your laptop manual for specific information.)5. Learn and Use Your Laptop's Special Keys
When you get a new computer, do you try to figure out everything about it? Or do you just start typing? If you're in the latter category, you may be missing out on some great productivity boosters available right there beneath your fingers. Take some time to figure out what special keys are available on your laptop. The manufacturer put them there to help you out. So do your trading a favor and use them. For example, on our EZ Trading Laptops, you can quickly turn off the display on all screens with fn-F7. This could be handy if you need to hide sensitive information quickly. And fn-F2 puts your laptop into Airplane mode, which is handy for travelers. Again on an EZ Trading Laptop, if you're already a big user of shortcut keys (like ctrl-C to Copy), you might want to try the special Windows® key that's two keys to the right of the space bar. (It looks like a square with 3 lines.) Pressing this key simulates a right-click on a mouse. Try out and practice with your laptop's special keys when you aren't in a rush, so you'll be ready to use them when you're on the road and in a pinch. There are more trading computer tips like this in our buyer's guide. Check out our "How To Buy a Trading Computer" e-book. We hope today's Quick Tip helped you. If you found this helpful, you'll want to check out the other computer productivity tips on this page. You can always call us if you have questions: 800-387-5250.Frequently Asked Questions
Can you day trade properly on a laptop?
Yes, with the right setup around it. The laptop screen alone is not enough — add at least one travel monitor, use a wired connection rather than public Wi-Fi, and use a real mouse instead of the touchpad. Get those three right and results hold up against a desktop.
How do you use two screens with a trading laptop?
A USB-powered travel monitor is the practical answer. A 15.6-inch model connects to the laptop's USB port with no separate power supply, weighs around 2.3 lb, stands horizontally or vertically, and fits in a laptop bag alongside the machine.
Is it safe to trade on public Wi-Fi?
No. It puts both your security and your execution at risk — a public network can expose your credentials, and its performance is entirely outside your control. Look for wired access, use your phone as a hotspot if you must, and pack an ethernet cable.
Should I use a wireless mouse with a trading laptop?
Wired is safer. The two ways a mouse fails you are a flat battery and a dropped connection, and both tend to happen at the worst moment. If you prefer wireless for the tidiness, carry a wired mouse as a backup or a spare battery.
How do I stop my laptop touchpad interfering while trading?
Turn it off. A thumb or palm brushing the touchpad while typing jumps the cursor into a different field, which is maddening mid-order. Some laptops disable it automatically when a mouse is plugged in; on others it is a setting you have to change yourself.
