Most online traders or investors are expected to have a broadband Internet connection (either cable or DSL) by 2003. With the increase in the speed of these Internet connections, traders are demanding faster and better computers and, in many cases, multiple access points in their homes and businesses. For these traders, even one split second can mean the difference between a profit or loss on any given trade. Most online traders are now moving up to the Pentium 4 computers and are running Windows 2000 or XP. They are also upgrading to the new flat-panel digital monitors, which can significantly reduce eyestrain.

The costs of a Pentium 4 trading computer with four flat-panel monitors can run close to $6,000. Due to these costs, a trader should protect his/her investment from damaging power surges or outages. This can be done with a battery backup system with high-speed Internet connection protection.

The best product I found that can do the job is the APC Back-UPS® VS. It offers high-speed Internet connection protection for the trader's cable modem, DSL, Ethernet, Single Line Phone/Fax Modem and DSS systems. It also offers plenty of outlets to protect trading hardware. It has 3 outlets with battery backup and surge protection and 3 outlets with only surge protection. If a power outage should occur, it keeps the computer and at least two monitors running for approximately 15 minutes, so the trader can get out of any of his/her trades and shut down the computer. If the trader is gone, PowerChute® software developed by APC can allow the computer to have an automatic safe system shutdown. If a power surge should occur from lightning, it also protects the computer's components from being destroyed.

One of the most appealing reasons I can find for using a battery backup system is the protection it gives the trader as he/she trades during the day. Losing power and having the computer shut down in the middle of a trade can cost thousands of dollars in losses. The cost of one of these units is only approximately $100, which is cheap hardware insurance and a must for any serious trader.

For more information, go to www.tradersworld.com. Larry Jacobs' articles also appear in Traders World magazine, and he can be contacted via email at publisher@tradersworld.com.