What's the best laptop hard drive out of these - Seagate, Hitachi or WD?

[ChristopherW]

Need to make a decision fairly promptly because I need this drive before Christmas, but once again I need some expert advice from you guys! I'm looking for a new hard drive, but I'm not sure which one to get... I've had bad experiences with WD drives in the past (and they seem to get really quite hot) so I've avoided them in the past, but I'm wondering whether it's time to evaluate them again.

After my current 13 month old Seagate laptop drive died on me, I'm looking for a new drive to replace it. Which one would you choose out of these three? (suggest another one in the same price bracket if you think there's a better one available)

Seagate ST9160821AS 160GB SATA 2.5" Hard Drive 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM: £76.25
Seagate ST9160821AS 160GB SATA 2.5" Hard Drive 5400rpm 8MB Cache - OEM - Ebuyer

160GB Hitachi 2.5" SATA Laptop Drive - Aria Technology (currently £55 as Aria's got it on offer on their Deal4Today page)

Western Digital Scorpio 250GB (WD2500BEVS) 2.5 SATA 5400rpm: £85
WESTERN DIGITAL HD Scorpio 250GB 2.5 SATA 5400rpm - Misco.co.uk


I looked on Scan but unfortunately their selection of SATA drives isn't very good at the moment So, referring to the wisdom of crowds, which drive would you go for? If you've bought one recently and you think it's good (or better than those listed above), point it out to me.

[staffsMike]

I go western digital where ever possible and the Scorpio's are supposed to be very good.

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

[ChristopherW]

What are they like heat-wise (and reliability wise?) The reason I've been willing to pay more for the Seagates in the past is for their longer warranty periods (which have come in useful), are the Seagates just 12 months or longer?

[shadowmaster]

I'd go with the western digital scorpio, mainly because I have one in my laptop and it has never caused me any problems. (Its been a bit more then 2 years since I bought it)

However I would say Seagates are probably also very good. I have their desktop hd's and they have never caused me any problems.

[staffsMike]

I've only ever used WD where there has been a choice and never had to make use of a warranty yet

The scorpio's major selling point is that it's completly silent under any operation.

Not sure on temperatures. I can't imagine it would be any better or worse than the others but WD do pride themseleves on cool and quiet drives so i'm guessing it's pretty good.

[cotswoldcs]

I'd go with WD for a laptop hard drive and tend to choose Samsung or WD for Desktop hard drives.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would go with the Western digital too!