The only laptop HDD thats ever given me problems was a 30Gb Ibm/Hitatchi Travelstar. It was a heat related problem on this boot drive, but happenned quick. I was able to get the important data off by placing it on another systems IDE chain and repeatedly freezing it with dust-off (sprayed upside down). Took about to a week of repeated sessions.

After that I'd stay with the Fujitsu or Toshiba. I read a few unimpressive reviews about the Segate, anyone tried one of those yet?