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@Velocio
If the computer is on (the scenario given), then something is probably still reading and writing from disk.
If you've ever watched a low-level disk monitor program you'll see that you not doing anything, and no programs running, does not mean that nothing is happening to the disk.
No lock will be enabled when the disk is in use. The platters will still be spinning, the head still moving around. If you knock it, at even 5,000rpm (cheapest, slowest disk) the head can score a groove in the entire magnetic layer on the platter.
It is possible to lock the arm away when not in use (powered down), and then it's a hell of a lot more durable. But that wasn't the scenario given. If it's on, a HDD is in danger.
Anecdotes are great, but they don't protect you from data loss or cost. I don't have a laptop horror story, but I have seen many people with them. My only HDD data losses have all been power supply related (sags and surges in power), but laptops (because of batteries) tend not to suffer those.