I fully agree with Whacker's list.
I've had many Seagates and WD's. I've had one Seagate die on me. While I can't say that the process of getting back a refurbished one is _easy_, I did get it, and without any bickering or anything. And I agree that one bad apple does not an entire crop spoil.

Otoh, Ive had several Maxtors die on me. Expensive SCSI ones. Don't get a Maxtor.