I like to have a workspace so I can do research at the same time as having charts open across 2-3 screens so I have nice big, juicy candlesticks to look at and plenty of room to trade through my forex broker account which is on a separate screen.

It is also possible to run charts off the multiscreen computer setup and to trade using the laptop as a separate component of the system. Some people have 3 screens, some have 1, some have a tower/desktop computer, some traders prefer a laptop.

The following specifications amply run three screens at once using three monitors and two video cards. It is not the latest system by any stretch, but it is fast enough to use as a machine whose main purpose is to trade professionally on a daily basis, running several programs at once - charting package, brokerage package, internet explorer, skype, news software simultaneously without crashes.

OS: Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2
Processor: 1.4 Gigahertz AMD Sempron
Circuit board: ASUSTek Inc. K8VSEDX
RAM: 1024 Megabytes (1 Gigabyte)
DVD/R + 120 Gig HD (optional)
Display: RADEON 9600 SERIES (primary and secondary) - monitor 1 + 2
SiS 300/305/630/540/730 - monitor 3
SoundMAX Digital Integrated Audio
ULTRAMON (open source multiscreen tool)
4 USB sockets
3 x HSD HN198D 19" monitors

In other words there is a graphics and video card taking care of the monitors, the graphics card running 2 of the monitors and a second insert a video card which allows the third monitor.

Taking the above specifications to a PC dealer who you trust and explaining to them that you want to run your charting package and brokers software plus internet explorer off a PC (or whatever you need) and that you heard the above specifications were strong enough will enable you to get a quote on the above system. It should not cost you more than about $1500-2000 (windows included and extras such as printer, great speakers, microphone etc) including the monitors, casing etc for the above setup.

As regards to security. I use a two way firewall (I understand that windows firewall is only one way) along with a good antivirus suite that updates on a daily basis with the latest definitions and use a couple of antispyware tools which are run once per fortnight or once per week to eliminate other intrusions.