2026-01-05•Andreas
The Ultimate Trading Setup: What You Actually Need
Do you need 6 monitors to be profitable? We break down the essential gear for a professional home trading station.
The "Wall Street" Fantasy
Movies show traders with 12 screens. Instagram shows traders with a laptop on a beach. The reality is somewhere in between.
The Essentials
- Reliable Computer: Speed matters. You don't want lag during a news event.
- Two Monitors:
- Monitor 1: Charts (TradingView).
- Monitor 2: Execution (MetaTrader/cTrader) & News.
- You don't need 6 screens. Your brain can't process that much info anyway.
- Ergonomic Chair: You will sit for hours. Invest in your back (Herman Miller / Steelcase).
- Stable Internet: Hardwire (Ethernet) if possible. Wi-Fi drops kill accounts.
Software Stack
- Charting: TradingView (Pro plan recommended for alerts).
- Journaling: Notion or Excel.
- News: Forex Factory (Free) or Squawk service.
Minimalism = Focus
A cluttered desk leads to a cluttered mind. Keep your space clean. Add bias lighting (warm LED) behind screens to reduce eye strain. Your environment dictates your performance.