Western Digital drive opinions?

[MidiGuy]

Someone recommended that I not buy a 30 gig WD hard drive a few months ago. He said that they crash easily, like if you knock some books again the computer or something. Do any WD drives damage easily?

Also, any thought about a 20 gig WD600AA?

[EDIT] And what about a Maxtor DiamondMax 32049H2 20.4GB, 5400RPM, 9.5ms seek time, 512KB cache buffer, ATA-5/UDMA 100 Hard Drive (OEM Bare Drive)? [/EDIT]

Thanks!

-MidiGuy

 

[Boonesmi]

im not real fond of wd

ive had more problems with them then i have with most other drives
(give me an ibm any day )

 

[Splork]

I've had my 5400 RPM WD drive for a year and half now...no complaints. It's been a great drive...sometimes a tad bit noisy...but I'll live!

cheers!

-sp

 

[CraigRT]

I think either ya love 'em or ya hate 'em.
I have had minor problems overall, apparently they once had a bad batch of drives where I had to send 2 back. and then after that no problems again, my older WD drives have always and still are working good. I would be a bit hesitant to buy a new one but I really do think it would be fine. I like my IBM's and Maxtor's right now. I once was a big Quantum fan too, but their new series just is not as good as the older LM's of last year.

I'd say if it's a good deal, pick it up. otherwise spend a tad more on an IBM or Maxtor drive..

 

[Hobbzilla]

I have a WD20BB, works like a champ. No probs thus far! I would have to say that Maxtor & WD are approx. the same price range and Maxtor has cleaned up their act a little. I wouldn't be leary of either. Although, no.. you can't go wrong with an IBM (unless it's one of those problem 75GXP's!)

 

[kroc]

Have 3 generations of WD so far (and 2 IBM) and have had very few problems with either.
an old 4.3 gig WD died after 3 years (@ O/C FSB) which I thought was a bit early but all others so far so good (all overclocked FSB).

Edit:
My 7200 rpm WD 10BA and 30BB are great.
i would not go to 5400 again, ever.
Maxtor and IBM are supposedly just as good.

 

[dbwillis]

I have the Western Digital 20gb/7200 and 30gb/5400 and have had no problems, I actually ordered another one last night this ones the 30gb/7200 model

 

[HiroP]

I've had 2 30GB 7200RPM WDC drives for 4-5 months now with no problems. Wish I could say the same for WinME.

 

[LXi]

I would personally get something not WD, just because there are better offers out there. Maxtor and IBM both make better hard drives than WD in my opinion.

 

[Midnight Rambler]

Ah, the continual bashing of WD drives goes on, totally unsupported by any real data.

I've used/built systems with almost nothing but WD drives exclusively for nearly 10 yrs. and never had a single failure. In fact the only drives I've had fail were Conner, Maxtor, and Samsung.

Of course, your mileage and/or opinion may vary ... but mine (opinion) is that ALL drives have very similar failure rates.

 

[polypterus]

I've had my WD 30g 5400rpm for about a year and have no problems. Even knocked it off the bed once . Paid $80 a year ago, good deal, good drive

dc

 

[mackstann]

I wouldn't say that I don't like WD, it's just that I don't like anything that's not Maxtor.

 

[Macro2]

Every HD maker has had a bad batch from time to time.
I've had 40 MB WDs, 212s, up to 20 gigs over the last 10 years. I've had one fail. A 15 Gig 5400 in a compaq that happened to be a known bad batch. The was replaced no charge.
I don't think mose people here have have a big enough sample to render a valid "broad" opinion.
WD is Ok...

mac

 

[novice]

I am happy that some people have good luck with Western Digital. I can only relate my personal (and admittedly limited) experience. Out of 3 Western Digital drives I have purchased, all 3 failed. 1 after a year, another after the warranty expired (both 2.1 gig Caviars) and a 13.6 gig Caviar lasted less than a year. The RMA 3.2 gig and 13.6 gig are still working, but who knows for how long? My 5 Maxtor and 1 Quantum drives are all still working and working well. I realize that this is not a sufficent sample size to draw any reasonable conclusion, but it is enough for me to prefer Maxtor drives for now. I have to admit with my track record with WD, I would feel pretty stupid if I were to buy another one and have to RMA it, too!
Chuck

 

[DaejangNim]

for me it works better than the other HD's ive had, no problems at all, its a 20gb 7200rpm ata-100 WD, i had a quantum fireball before and it died in a year =(

 

[SUOrangeman]

Out of three WD drives I've owned, only one (4.3GB) has failed on me ... many months after running on an83MHz FSB. My WD205BA has been my main drive for 18 months and I have mounted a WD450AA in a removable rack with no problems to date.

-SUO

 

[MuffD]

I have used these on and off since my first WD drive (540mb) and none has ever failed me yet unbelievably.

 

[Workin']

Been using WD drives since 1989. Had one fail. Using 2 400BB's at the moment. 7200 RPM, fast and quiet.

You pay your money and you take your chances. Each manufacturer has had their problems. I wouldn't avoid WD based on anecdotal evidence and loud mouth assertions. If it has the features you want at the price you want to pay, go for it.

 

[4824guy]

For a good solid HD that benchmarks great, has great performacne, and a 3 year no-qibble warranty condsider a Maxtor Diamonad Max HD. They are a good value IMHO.

 

[GregMal]

I've had 420 meg, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, 30 gig WD drives and haven't had
any problems. If fact they're all still running perfect.....
Greg

 

[steelnewfie]

I had a WD that failed, Maxtor's never let me down....