Phlogistan

Western Digital vs. Seagate Technology: Value in Hard Disk Makers

Something I would consider a significant factor which you overlooked would be the ongoing problems Seagate has had with quality degradation over the last 5-6 years.
Re: Reduction of warranty from 5 years standard to 1 year.
Re: The "BIOS boot death" of the 7200.11 series.
The second point might very well be indicative of the reasoning for the former. This also casts William Watkins and Dave Wickershamn in a less than favorable light for their abrubt departure.
I would have to consider THIS particular issue a real pre-purchase failure of your due diligence.
Seagate had a less than stellar record with the last generation of drives as well, the 7200.10 series.