Newbie looking for advice on setup - use a TV?

[pommyg 0]

Hi - I'm a new member going through the educational stuff - amazing! I've been interested in finance since I was 12 and am now mid-late 40s. Not much in the way of day trading experience though and I have already had improvements.

My current setup is an all in one on my right and a horizontal screen/vertical screen in front of me - something like below. The monitor on the right is my all in one and angled somewhat on a perpendicular desk. I dont want my neck turned to the right for prolonged positions so just use it to glance every now and then at things.

Anyway, I saw using multiple monitors in the educational materials https://bearbulltraders.com/lessons/part-3-multiple-monitors-watchlist/. Is there a suggested 4 monitor setup like that?

I dont play games, I use my setup to watch youtube, read documents, email, use IB TWS and now DAStrader Pro. I would like to move away from my current collection of misfitted monitors and something more organised. Not immediately, but over a 1-2 month period. 

Could I use a large 4k TV like the one below to divide one screen in front of me into four areas, using 2-3 for DAS and 1-2 for other things. https://www.amazon.ca/TCL-50S425-CA-Ultra-Smart-Television/dp/B07KG318MQ/

 

Yes, I'm cheap! I'd rather not spend alot of money on monitors when I do not game.

What do you all think? Would it be suitable for what I want to do and is there a better way that I have not considered.

Thanks in advance and for such a great community.

 

Pommy

[pommyg 0]

Thanks Peter. I'll take a look a the link. I feel very uneducated in this area. I dont like mt setup and feel its a bit of a mess...

[cjsimon07 16]

I tried using a tv for a while. I had 2 monitors plus the tv. I don't recommend using a tv for trading, although some people here use them for the chat room and/or internet browser. Personally, looking back and forth between the monitors and tv and having my eyes have to refocus was painful. I finally upgraded to 4 BenQ monitors and I wish I did it sooner!

[pommyg 0]

Thanks @cjsimon07- I have decided against a big TV. I think I'll go for the universal (almost) 4 monitors setup. Probably 4 fairly cheapish monitors but full HD should do the trick I hope.

[pommyg 0]

True. I hadnt thought of that, even though I've already had those issues limiting my current setup!. Thank you @peterB!

[cjsimon07 16]

I know when you're starting out it's hard to invest money into a setup especially if it come out of your trading capital, but if I could go back in time I wouldn't have waited so long to upgrade to a real trading setup. You can get a PC like this:

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gaming-desktop-amd-ryzen-5-3600-8gb-memory-amd-radeon-rx-580-2tb-hdd-240gb-ssd-black/6362427.p?skuId=6362427

Which can support multiple monitors and is more than enough for most traders. And you can always upgrade it later if you need more. 

I bought a similar PC , 4 monitors, monitor stand, standing desk and a comfortable chair all for under $2000. There is no comparison between my current setup and my old mixed matched junk I was using. Having the proper tools really helped increase my confidence and consistency. I can really focus on my process and learning. I'm no longer blaming my setup when I make a mistake and I feel like that has helped me learn at a much faster pace than before.