When it comes to favorite HD brands, a lot is personal experience and a little luck.  In 13 years I've had 2 WD, 1 Samsung, and 1 Deathstar fail.  Every Maxtor or Seagate drive I've ever owned still is operational, going back to a 1.6gb Maxtor circa 1996.  Some running in linux servers, others have been given as hand me downs.  A few collecting dust.