Back in the day, I had worked on computers for few stores working jobs so I knew what hard drives are good to get for.
Now in the present like today:
Quantum easier to get in small capacities and price is just right. I had good experience with them before, good performance.
Samsung can be had as well. IBM drives yes but little expensive.
WD had bad period in early days up to 3 platters voice coil actuator models (WDACxxxx).
Maxtor is little harder to get and makes unique squeak (nervous) every time platters starts to turn, too few low capacity size.
Seagate too many and hard to find models without online database so can choose the models in the ebay search. Trouble is, I don't have good online database to use.
Cheers,
Great Northern aka Canada.