what does interface SATA mean?

[abhi_shake]

I'm thinking of buying the external maxtor onetouch III mini 60 GB. I was reading through some sites and found this Interface thing that I'm not quite able to understand. It says that its interface is SATA, does that mean that the drive is SATA? My PC has an ATA drive, will there be any problems if use the external drive which is SATA?
here's the link if you want to see it
http://www.pcmag.com/compare_product...pt=0&sid=25190

[samrulez]

Well if the main driver is SATA then it has to be converted to USB for it to be external....it can also be conntected internally from SATA..

Whatever, u r existing HDD be...if u have a USB port this HDD will work.

[abhi_shake]

ok thanx