If you could only buy one drill

[Wozzaaah]

'Percussion' drill is a strange term really, I've always just known them as hammer drills.
The heavy duty ones are most often called 'rotary impact' drills. They usually have an SDS type chuck and a lot also have a switch or lever to turn off the rotation ('roto stop') so you can use it for chiselling. So to answer your question, yes it is a hammer drill .

 

[Hitch]

No Jack, a light 'hammer' action is created in basic percussion/hammer drills with a rotating wheels with numerous ridges, as one rotates against the other, the ridges create a slight in out in out motion.

The SDS types use a pneumatic action, im not entirely sure how they work, but is far more effective.

 

[Archie]

As an all round drill I don't reckon you can do much better than a DeWalt cordless combi hammer. I know there's a bit of naysaying about DeWalt kit but I've had one of these for about three years now and I've used it lots indoors and outdoors on wood, steel and masonry and it's not put a foot wrong. The chuck is awesome.

 

[rusty69bus]

i agree with archie cordless dril are good arounders as long as you get a hammer drill, if going cordless make sure you get one with at least a couple of batteries.