Apple Macs as a trading tool?

[Beenjammin]

Hiya,

Im thinking about going Mac.

Anyone trade full time using them?
Any comments/ suggestions?

THanks!

 

[Beenjammin]

Particularly thinking about multi screen setups.....but any othe comments re software compatibility (im on WebIRESS via Comec at the moment) or traps for the uninitiated would be very welcom.

Thanks!

 

[Happy]

Last year when I bumped into Mac Rep at Domayne's Mac Section I was told that Mac can have platform installed that translates everything to PC system.
(It would require purchase of something that would do that, as normal Mac does not have it included)

Effectively I could have Mac operate as PC, only drawback that Mac would be bit slower as anything it does it would go Mac-PC-Mac to get result.

This might not be correct as I have no Mac, but this is what I think rep was trying to say.
If this is true, no matter what happens you can always use it as PC

 

[acedrum]

You could use a web based trading platform using Safari or Firefox in Mac OS X.

There is a charting application called Trade Strategist available for os x.

All Intel Macs can run Windows as a separate operating system or a virtual operating system can be setup with Parallels. I haven't used parallels but have my main system setup with os x and windows. Windows runs just as well, if not better than on any PC.

 

[acedrum]

(It would require purchase of something that would do that, as normal Mac does not have it included)

You only need a copy of windows and a free download of bootstrapper from apple to install windows as a completely separate operating system that can be selected when booting up.

If you wanted to setup windows as a virtual machine you would have to buy Parallels and it would probably not run as well as the above option.

 

[ojm]

You can run it as a virtual machine. You can have Windows apps running along side your Mac apps pretty much.

My mates Macbook Pro with 4GB RAM ran Windows CAD software fine. And CAD is pretty resource heavy.

 

[cutz]

Hi

Yeah I use an iMac with a second monitor plugged in to run IB TWS which is my primary platform and it works a treat.

Webiress works but it’s a tad glitchy, for instance I can’t modify the columns in the quote windows. Resizing panels and launching new panels from the menu bar is sometimes problematic everything else in webiress works fine, I pretty much set up iress how I wanted it via my PC and now I don’t really play with it’s settings so those glitches don’t bother me too much.

IMO if you’re only intending on running webiress stick with a PC as iress doesn’t support Macs, also why would you bother running a windows emulator on your Mac, it defeats its purpose.

 

[1080p]

I have an account with Oanda (browser based) and use a macbook with dual monitors to trade.

Unfortunately I also need a PC to trade my other accounts though.

Be warned - once you go mac you'll never go back

 

[togs]

Apple snuck this in, as far I can see. The recent upgrade to the Mac Mini has, among other things, now given this pint-sized powerhouse the abillity to drive two screens, through the mini-DVI and the newer DisplayPort.

apple.com/macmini/specs.html

 

[cutz]

Yeah it’s a nice little package,

I wish the dual display was available when I purchased my new desktop, initially I looked at the mini but due to its ability to handle only one screen I ended with an iMac, the two different monitors bugged me a little at first (due to the fact I’m a bit of a desk neat freak) but I quickly got over it.

The new mini with couple of 22 inch displays would be attractive setup.

 

[Beenjammin]

Thanks everyone!

Cutz, (Marcus, I assume?) thanks for the heads up about the glitchy IRESS performance. Are you using Firefox to browse? I noticed I cant run IRESS at all using Google Chrome, so it may be MS Explorer only that can run it fully. I ditched Firefox from my PC a while back so can't test it out. My point being it may be the browser host rather than the Mac hardware. Still, it doesn't sound major.

Thanks also 1080p Mr Smiley Banana. WHen you say you need a PC to trade your other accounts through, can you expand on this a bit pls? Are you using desktop software that wont run properly under windows emulation on the Mac, or is it a browser issue, or you just dont have windows soiling your hard drive? BTW Ive played with Oanda (just the demo to see how I go at Forex trading) and wow it's a great system - I'd love some of its capabilities for trading options. What browser are you on with your Mac?

If I go this route itll definitley be a new Mac (prolly Mini, seems best bang for buck) with an Intel inside (thanks Happy, Acedrum, ojm and togs), so I can run windows in case of emergency. The main reasons in my mind are the reliability, the ease of use, the fact it just feels so much better using a Mac compared to a PC (I could use a crude similie but will restrain myself) and fact most viruses (sorry, virii) are written for PC's.

 

[cutz]

Cutz, (Marcus, I assume?)

Sorry Beenjammin you have the wrong bloke, i'm not Marcus.

The glitches i was describing with webiress i actually experience on my Mac.

As i was saying i set up iress on my PC initially which uses IE, i drive it via my Mac which uses safari.

Cheers,

Cutz.

 

[togs]

Since you can run a full Windows install virtualised on OS X, there will not be any applications that you won't be able to run (barring specific hardware requirements or other gotchas like that), it's a matter of performance. I wouldn't expect 3D games under virtual Windows to be that great, for example. Unless trading software is very glitzy, generally I don't think it will be a problem, but try to test it first if possible.

To be fair to both platforms, there are viruses for Macs, perhaps less than twenty (don't quote that, DYOR ). However, the BSD UNIX architechture underneath (OS X is based on FreeBSD, which itself is based on AT&T UNIX, so we're talking software that's been around for about 30-40 years now) usually causes a virus to be run because the user chose to run it.

Browser wise, I use Safari, Firefox and Opera - Opera is my preferred tool, and still one of the best on any platform.

If you buy a new Mini, my advice would be to go with the 120GB model, max the RAM and choose the faster processor. The price they are asking for extra hard disk space is not worth it - I think my external 700GB drive cost about the same as the 320GB upgrade.

Presently considering buying the new model for dual screen capability!

Cheers,
togs

 

[Timmy]

OK, probably a stupid question and probably will incite more conflict than the Gaza Strip, but here goes … Beenjammin, it appears from the OP you don’t currently have a Mac but want to buy one and use it for trading. And it sounds like you are going to have to go to a lot of trouble to do so. Why not join (or stay with) the herd and use a PC?


(Please note, I admit I probably don’t ‘get it’; and, Yes, I am much more like the fat PC guy than the cool Mac guy…).
Flame away …




ps. If you want software for trading on a Mac I recommend Investor R/T, which I understand was originally developed for Macs and which I find to be absolutely outstanding.

 

[Beenjammin]

Thanx again Cuts and Togs.

Timbo, to answer your question, bascially its getting close to time to replace my computer, and Im taking the opportunity to investigate the land of Mac. Have not come to a decision as yet but Im happy to share my thoughts to date. My scorecard looks as follows:

FOR PC:

• Price
• Ubiquity
• Range of programs - including freeware, open source and proprietary
• Range & price of peripherals
• Breadth of support options
• Familiarity (Ive used a PC nearly every day since DOS days)

FOR MAC

• Ease of use - much more intuitive, fewer gotchas
• Lack of OS based bugs compared to windows
• Lack of Viruses
• Interoperability with other Apple products - I-pod, I-phone - anything with an apple logo on it will work as promised, no questions
• Graphics and sound quality beat the poo out of a PC (Im into photography and music so a plus for me)
• You can run windows anyway if you really want to
• Cool factor (I know it soulds like a w@nk but Id be lying if I said I wasnt considering this as a factor)
• Supporting true innovators - Apple comes up with truly great ideas (They had a great GUI before Windows came along, MS "borrowed" the concept from them) and Id like prefer my cash went to a company that will continue to drive innovation so they thrive and we continue to benefit.

AGAINST PC

• Viruses requiring constant $$$ for protective software that is never 100%
• Buggy OS
• Buggy Programs
• Compatibility risk - adding new hardware or programs can often really negatively impact the performance of your PC without any rhyme or reason as to why, and all the vendors blame each other ("It couldn't possibly be our product! Blame Bill Gates!") Bill meanwhile blames the vendors right back, or simply states "itll be addressed in the next upgrade" . From my Mac contacts, this doesnt seem to happen, their Macs chug along as always.
• Good quality sound and video cards cost extra anyway, generally narrowing the proce gap between Macs and PCs.
• Herd factor - I'm contrarian in a lot of aspects

AGAINST MAC

• Price (BUT see comment on high end PC video and sound cards above, plus the paragraph below)
• Fewer support options - on line and real world (eg I can't call up a mates son doing IT at Uni and ask him advice on some obscure hardware or software issue, and a lot of suburban computer store staff have high nerd factor ratings on PC's but low for Mac. However from what I understand this kind of thing is not generally an issue as Macs apparently "just work right")
• Some programs arent available for MAC under their native OS (dunno how well Windows would run, gotta test it out )
• Dont personally know anyone trading using a Mac so am unaware of potential pitfalls - the old "unknown unknowns"
• Im going to definitley be using at least two screens, but if I go Mac MinI dont know if ill be able to ramp up to four if I feel the need (which Im sure I will one day - obvious workaround is to pay the extrra and get an iMac so I can add an extra video card if neccessary).

Just on price, I read that in the US at least Apple has dropped price across the full range of its computer products....we'll have to see if price drops are matched in Australia or if the local distributors keep hanging onto high price as a differentiator (not bright in this environment).

Thanks for the SW recommendation, Ill check out their website. Gotta say though Ill mainly be using WebIRESS unless there is something super-dooper in there.

 

[cutz]

Thanks for the SW recommendation, Ill check out their website. Gotta say though Ill mainly be using WebIRESS unless there is something super-dooper in there.

Im going to definitley be using at least two screens, but if I go Mac MinI dont know if ill be able to ramp up to four if I feel the need (which Im sure I will one day - obvious workaround is to pay the extrra and get an iMac so I can add an extra video card if neccessary).

Hi Beenjammin,

I don't think a video upgrade on the iMac is a straightforward process, from what limited knowledge i have, Mac Pro is the system that allows for a quad video output.

With regard to webiress make sure you have a play on a Mac so you are well aware of the glitches before hand, i did this in my local shop using the demo commseciress which was available on the website ( i wasn't comfortable logging on to my account on a shop computer, i also tried the demo TWS while i was in there.)

 

[1080p]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks also 1080p Mr Smiley Banana. WHen you say you need a PC to trade your other accounts through, can you expand on this a bit pls? Are you using desktop software that wont run properly under windows emulation on the Mac, or is it a browser issue, or you just dont have windows soiling your hard drive? BTW Ive played with Oanda (just the demo to see how I go at Forex trading) and wow it's a great system - I'd love some of its capabilities for trading options. What browser are you on with your Mac?

Yeah there's not many options for software platforms for mac which is why I still need a PC. I could install XP and use with bootcamp or parallels but its cheaper just to hold on to my old laptop which I use exclusively for trading.

Although I do use Oanda I wouldn't really recommend it unless you're scalping. Every once in a while you'll get some massive unexplained price spikes which probably stop a lot of people out....

 

[biggles]

I have a Mac and an old PC for my charting.I couldn't find a charting program that I liked that would run on the Mac
Web Iress is glitchy on my Mac too. I run it from the PC.
IG markets stuff runs well though.
Depends whose platforms you will want to run I suppose. Some do some don't.
My Mac has turned into a huge IPod and photo album. I have to kick the kids off it all the time.
Its a lot more trouble free than the PC, I don't need to run programs to clean it up but its annoying that not all trading platforms aren't compatible

 

[Beenjammin]

Hi Beenjammin,

I don't think a video upgrade on the iMac is a straightforward process, from what limited knowledge i have, Mac Pro is the system that allows for a quad video output.

With regard to webiress make sure you have a play on a Mac so you are well aware of the glitches before hand, i did this in my local shop using the demo commseciress which was available on the website ( i wasn't comfortable logging on to my account on a shop computer, i also tried the demo TWS while i was in there.)

Thanks Cutz, the MacPro is certainly the high end option which I can see someone like George Lucas using for CGI on the next StarWars trilogy (2 x 3.2Ghz Quad Core processors and up to 32GB memory! Holy ****!) but definitley overkill for me at this point (sadly). Im thinking MacMini to start and if all goes well and I really need more than 2 screens I'll be in the right position to judge if going after a MacPro is worth the money.

After much navel gazing, Ive decided Im trying to establish if a Mac will be more reliable than a PC and thus avoid downtime at a critical moment (ie a risk mitigation strategy).

Ill try to get to the Mac shop and load up WebIRESS to see how it goes on Safari.

Every once in a while you'll get some massive unexplained price spikes which probably stop a lot of people out....

I noticed some of these......are they specific to Oanda or are they actually happening in the market?

 

[togs]

In my experience a Mac platform generally requires less maintenance when compared to a Windows platform (maintaining systems is my job). Switching to Mac actually freed up personal time for me.