> I've seen micropolis 3.5" disks burn up without too much effort,
> ive seen many a newer Quantum 7200 rpm disk overheat and die
> (including one which was baked by a  barracuda, which survived
> unscathed!), i cant say ive seen how the newer  IBM disks perform,

I have a 9 GB 7200 rpm IBM Ultrastar - it performs OK for a 7200 rpm
disk - about 13 MB/s.  However, I had serious problems with it after
just a few monthts.  It runs rather hot, and besides, it was in
summertime, so I suspect it overheated.  I don't know about 7200 rpm
Quantum disks, but the 10000 rpm Atlas 10K (25 MB/s) runs
exceptionally cool.