I’ve heard a lot about LaCies failing, but I’ve had 3 D2s for about 8 years, and a Rugged (which I love) for about a year, and they’re all still working just fine.
I think the Rugged only goes up to 750 GB with a firewire 800 option, the 1TB option being E-Sata and USB 2 only.
I also have 2 Western Digital MyBooks which are still working great after 4 years, but they require an external power source, like the LaCie D2s.