If there is one common truth about external storage solutions it is that you always use more capacity than you think you will. This is especially true of you are the type who produces and consumes lots of digital media. Hitachi has announced several new external storage devices boasting 2TB of space.

The external solutions include the SimpleDrive USB 2.0 storage solution selling for $249.99. It works with both Mac and Windows computers. Hitachi also crammed 2TB of storage inside its SimpleTech line of solutions. The SimpleTech Pro Drive has USB, FireWire 400/800, and eSATA connectivity to go along with its 2TB HDD for $299.99.

External storage solutions have lots of uses in today’s home. With the huge amounts of digital content the average consumer uses today, we need a place to back that data up. Western Digital has announced a new My Book Studio external hard drive that has an e-label display built-in.

The cool part about the display is that it can show the volume label and how much space is left on the drive even when the drive is not plugged in. The device is designed for Mac users and has FireWire 800 interface and 256-bit hardware encryption.

There are a myriad of uses for external hard drives from transporting data to and from the office or home to backing up important data on your computer. One thing that most of the external hard drives have in common is that they are not rugged enough to be taken on the go without risking damage.

Freecom has a new drive called the ToughDrive Sport that it claims to be the toughest external hard drive yet. The drive can withstand drops of up to two meters in height and is protected against adverse weather like rain. The drive is meant to be carried on the go and has a loop in one corner.

After CES comes and goes the next big consumer electronics show happens in Germany and is called CeBIT. CeBIT 2009 will be kicking off this month and a slew of new computers, computer accessories and consumer electronics devices will be debuted at the show.

Among the new devices will be a line of external hard drives from Rocstor called Eagleroc. The Eagleroc drives are available with versions supports USB, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and eSATA. Some of the drives use small 2.5-imnch notebook HDDs and some use larger 3.5-inmch drives.