To replace the stock drive. I'm looking for 500gb, 7200rpm, reliability, between $50-$60 and please don't mention SSD's I don't need crazy speed just something a little better. (Search is not working for me)
apple uses the 750gb variant of the wd scorpio black if you upgrade the hdd in the 2011 mini. here's the 500gb model. apple uses these seagate drives in the mini server.
http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B004LR1RPK http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B002TPVCWE (macrumors tries to add their affiliate tag for commission and it's failing. copy and paste if it doesn't work.)
I would buy a samsung or a wd 1tb. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152291 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136927 these are faster then any 500gb 7200rpm drive in many conditions not all but many. this is due to the density of the platters.. If your 500gb hdd has more the 300gb on it and the 1tb has 300gb on it the 1tb will smoke the 500gb hdd. I also don't like seagate but that was when they came out with the 500gb hdd in 2009 it was a P.O.S.