I don't know if I was just lucky or what, but I've always had far worse experiences with Seagates than WDs.
I got into building PCs on the side in about '96 or so and did break/fix support through college - it always seemed (I didn't keep records - I can't quantify) that Seagates accounted for more than their share of the "it won't start and is making a clicking noise" cases. So much so, that I have recommended against Seagates and towards WDs for as long as I can remember (15+yrs).
I've only had a small amount of direct experience with Hitachi drives, so I can't speak to them too much.. Though I do have a Hitachi in an enclosure that's been kicking around since about 2004, so I guess that says something...
I got into building PCs on the side in about '96 or so and did break/fix support through college - it always seemed (I didn't keep records - I can't quantify) that Seagates accounted for more than their share of the "it won't start and is making a clicking noise" cases. So much so, that I have recommended against Seagates and towards WDs for as long as I can remember (15+yrs).
I've only had a small amount of direct experience with Hitachi drives, so I can't speak to them too much.. Though I do have a Hitachi in an enclosure that's been kicking around since about 2004, so I guess that says something...