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But most people tend to buy cheaper stuff, so if they bought cheap stuff 7 years ago, it needed to be replaced about 5 years ago...
But realistically, if you have a quad core CPU and 8GB of ram or more, and an SSD, then you probably don't need an upgrade until your CPU becomes the limiting factor (slow to load).
My trading laptop is close, purchased in March 2008:
A rock solid Sony VAIO VGN-AR630E 17 inch Laptop - 8.1lbs; 17.0"; Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 @ 2.0GHz; 2GB RAM; 320GB HDD; Blu-Ray & DL DVD+/-RW Combo; 802.11n; Vista Home Premium; NVIDIA Geforce 8400M GT 256MB w/ HDMI-out
I think it is great. When XP goes without support soon, I am hoping that does not cause it to become obsolete. I just reorganized my whole setup with that 2005 Sony 2GB ram computer, running 3 of 4 screens. Runs two separate trade platform installations, simultaneously, flawlessly, 24/6. Have never had a single issue since I left NT. Not sure why, computers are not really something I am into, but I know less than that will crash my 2011 HP. I have contemplated building a new box, but never can find a reason to, other than "I can", and buying things is kinda fun...
I think since I do not use any other program on that computer it keeps me from experiencing anything that would be a problem.
To give credit to Sony I've had trading programs from three staple (Indian) vendors, NinjaTrader7, SierraChart, MT4, Skype, iTunes, a few dozen BigMike threads AND a BitTorrent client (gasp) all running without much issues on my Vaio. I don't recommend such a thing, however - its real money on the line after all - so I've now kept separate machines for these activities.
No need for computa. Me hand draw charts. I bery bery sucksesful trader. Me bery long term trader. Only have to draw 2 charts per year.
Seriously: I build my own. Only build as high end as possible. Technology creep will catch your old computer eventually and bring it to its' knees.
If a component of my computer fails or becomes obsolete, then I replace only those components that have compatibility issues. People who only run trading platforms don't need a lot of power. But I guarantee that the later generation computer components will make your experience much more enjoyable. Even ninja charts that typically need only 2 cores will be much more stable. You would be surprised how many "services" run in the background on any given computer. Computer resources are drained, leaving little left for programs.
I run 4 monitors and I can assure you that I use them all. For about $1500.00 one can have an Intel I7 CPU, 16Gb RAM, a
motherboard that will handle the speeds required to run present day programs. Add a decent power supply (PSU) and 4 port graphics card with at least 2Gb memory and you can run about anything that comes down the road for a long time. And as I said before, just change the parts you need to, instead of paying a computer tech the equivalent of the price of your computer to fix it.
A computer like the one I just described can be built in an afternoon, really...and anyone intelligent enough to learn the trading game should be able to build one. The individual components that you buy for your "build" will generally be of much better quality than a computer bought from a retailer. In other words, those components give much more "bang for the buck"......and all for the cost of a good trading day.
Please go ahead, this could be a very interesting thread as well.
"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much." - Jim Rohn
Just for fun - my trading chair was given to me by a Montgomery Ward company back when they were around. The arm rests are a little worn from our pets, but it is a Herman Miller, and just keeps holding me every time I sit down, so until I hit the floor...
I did upgrade it this year with a lumbar support through Amazon for $2. And, I have changed pets more than once since I got it.
I really like the IBM thinkpad series because of their on-line system recovery partition. If the system ever develops OS creep- I just back up my data restore the beast to factory setting - re-install Ninja - my data and I am up and running again within an hour. I finally retired my 1st thinkpad after 5 years of service. I fully expect my new rig to last the same amount of time.