Recently, New Scientist thrilled its readers by telling of a computer that doesn't crash. This device runs on an operating system that is specifically designed to repair corrupted data rather than shutting down completely. Certainly, this is a feat of engineering, and the software - or some based on it - will serve us well in the future, but tech writer John Dvorak warns of the danger in saying that anything is "crash-proof." 

According to the article, the computer works by systematically working through certain situations, keeping vital systems operational even if others shut down, similar to the way that the human body keeps working even if it's sick. 

But, in a world of constant innovation, it's sometimes easy to have a short memory. In his rebuttal to the assertion that the machine is "crash-proof," Dvorak recalls a supposedly "crash-proof" IBM that was released in 2003. Also reported by New Scientist, the laptop had a built-in accelerometer that protected itself against falls. The marketing scheme lasted until Microsoft designed a program especially to lock up the system. 

Dvorak's point is an important one. A computer is never entirely invulnerable to crashes or other failures, just as a healthy person is not invincible. The right combination of accidents can cause any laptop to stop working, which is why it's important to make sure that all data is backed up. 

It does help if you have a device that has been specially made to avoid these unfortunate scenarios, however. Whether it's by installing a built-in backup hard drive or using solid-state memory, there are a few things you can do to make your computer better. Here at PortableOne, we specialize in customized laptops that can be made well, if not entirely crash-proof.