Help Me With A Computer Problem

Hey, for my other laptop, a Toshiba, the computer guy said I need a PATA Hard Drive and a charger. I know the charger is like ten bucks on ebay, but why get it if I decide not to fix the Toshiba? I know someone that can put the hard drive in for me, but they really know nothing other than that and software.

My question is: What is a PATA Hard Drive? Are all PATA hard drives compatable with all laptops? What does a good one look like? What does a decent one look like? Basically, how much is it going to cost me?

Frankly, the most help i can offer on this subject is that if you can get a SATA hardrive it would be much better. They cost only a little more, but are more efficient in pretty much every way.

They shouldn't run you back too much, depending on what you want, but you can get a stock standard one for around $70 US i would think.

For more info, check out this site:
http://www.directron.com/patasata.html

PATA or SATA Hard Drive??

They Said PATA...

SATA = Serial
PATA or ATAPI = Paralell

Two different types of connections. IDE (the most common hard drive connection type) is a type of PATA, SATA is the newer technology.