Reliability of the smaller hard drive, which was built for laptop use, may be better than that of the larger 3.5" drive in terms of ability to withstand shock in the way of G forces.

Judging reliability of manmade items is never a single-input problem.

But one should always realize that "reliability" and "hard drive" can instantly become mutually exclusive terms at any time, regardless of the drive's form factor.

And govern yourself accordingly. Make a backup and rinse and repeat as you add new things to the drive.

Religiously.


--Mac