I think WD disks are just as prone to crapping out as Maxtor ones, IDE wise anyhow.
I agree with the people who say that people who think computers should be like simple appliances (e.g. toaster, microwave, etc.) should get their computers from a manufacturer. Check out gotapex.com and see if a good deal comes up from Dell:
http://www.gotapex.com/deals.php
It's also my personal opinion that people who believe computers are simple appliances are, well, slightly deluded.
But if they hire people to make it so, so be it.