There has been a significant rise in trading activity within Africa, with Kenya home to many active traders in the region. In Kenya, around 200,000 active traders are involved with forex, although there is also significant volume for activity in commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Interestingly, many of these traders are not affiliated with businesses or companies and simply trade for personal gain, mostly using personal laptops, in this article, we will look into laptops that can run MetaTrader 5.
This platform offers ease of use as it can be accessed using different devices from virtually anywhere that has internet access. That said, MT5 still has its own technological demands that must be satisfied in order to run smoothly. If not run on a device with the right specs, even a platform as user-friendly as MT5 can experience lags that will drastically affect time-sensitive trades. This is why it’s important to know and have the right laptop for the job.
What is MetaTrader 5?:
In order to enhance the trading experience, a platform should have a wide range of tools to support its users. MetaTrader 5 (MT5) has more than 200 diverse trading instruments, including forex currency pairs, metals, cryptocurrencies, stocks, and indices. MT5 also has integrated analysis tools that keep traders updated on the latest market movements and forecasts. Having reliable forecasts for the market is especially useful for Kenyan traders, since the trading landscape is significantly influenced by socio-economic issues that run rampant within the country. Using MT5 can help combat any volatility in value pricing amid unpredictable events and keep you on top of the market.
In addition to all the distinct features of the platform, it can also be used on smartphones and tablets. While this provides ease of use, especially for traders with busy schedules, it’s essential to use technology that can support elaborate systems such as MT5 to sustain peak performance. Laptops are one of the most recommended accessories for this, as some of the newest models have powerful specs that can run trading platforms efficiently without encountering any glitching issues that could potentially hinder your trade activity. With this, here are some of the best laptops traders can utilize and run MT5.
Recommended laptops
MSI Stealth 15M
MSI is a globally recognised leader in laptop technology, offering a wide range of products geared towards efficiently running heavy gaming programs and applications. The Stealth 15M is one of their most popular models and is known for its impressive performance and high-quality display that significantly enhances the gaming experience for its users. This powerful laptop may have been designed for gamers, but it’s also a good choice for traders.
A key feature of the Stealth 15M is having an Intel Core i7 processor paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU that enables it to handle both intense gaming and heavy multitasking with other programs on the laptop. It also stands out for being easy to carry, weighing only 1.69kg, which is convenient for its processing power. This laptop is perfect for traders who want a machine that they can use outside of their trading activity to indulge in hobbies such as gaming.
Lenovo Legion Slim 5i:
The Lenovo Legion series of gaming laptops are considered some of the best on the market right now. Each one has distinctly powerful features that can help you run elaborate gaming programs with ease. However, the Legion Slim 5i stands out from the other laptops from the same family of products, as it comes in a slimmer design without sacrificing performance or durability.
This laptop is supported by the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor, allowing it to have stable performance without glitching or hanging, even when running multiple heavy programs at once. Additionally, it comes with a Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU that handles a 240Hz refresh rate for a clearer and more fluid screen display. It is on the heavier side, weighing 2.4kg, but this laptop also boasts a long battery life of seven hours on a single charge, even while running heavy programs. Traders who are often out and about can benefit greatly from the Legion Slim 5i, as it has premium specs that last for hours.
Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED
While Asus also has its own line of premier gaming laptops, the brand highlights its non-gaming laptops that are geared towards professionals who prefer specialised technology for their daily tasks. The Zenbook S 13 OLED is fitted with an Intel Core i7 that allows it to perform optimally even while running demanding programs, such as trading platforms. Moreover, it can last 14 hours on a single charge and only weighs one kilo, making it the perfect on-the-go companion for busy traders.
Unlike other laptops on the market, Asus also took the initiative to create this Zenbook with eco-friendly materials by incorporating post-industrial recycled (PIR) magnesium-aluminium alloy in the keyboard cover, chassis and lid. These features are great for traders with a preference for sustainability who want a durable machine that can help with their trading activity while also lessening their carbon footprint.
HP ProBook 430
HP is a brand known for producing efficient technology and selling them at lower price points to become more accessible to a wide range of people. However, this does not deter the quality of their products, as models like the ProBook 430 come with the latest processors and features that make it a powerful machine. Similar to other laptops on the market, it has an Intel Core i7 and offers you premium efficiency. The laptop also has a ten-hour battery life and only weighs 1.4kg, making it ideal if you travel often.
It also has a simple hardware design and straightforward features, making it a preferred laptop for many in the business sector. The ProBook is also great for multitasking and running heavy programs, which is a huge plus given its more affordable price point. This is a great laptop for traders if you want something inexpensive but still highly reliable when it comes to supporting your trading.
I go by the HP ProBook 430, it’s the best laptop for multitasking and it’s easy portability