Datago DE3: A Media Center PC With Good Looks Too
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. General Observations
- 3. Front Panel
- 4. Rear View
- 5. Input Devices
- 6. Usage
- 7. DVD Playback
- 8. Television And Video
- 9. Pictures
- 10. Internet Channels
- 11. Quirks

Home Theater PCs are all the rage these days, but is it possible to find a model that can fit into your living room without looking horribly out of place? While most geeks can easily build one from a small-form factor PC, it might look strange sitting next to your TV and VCR.
The Datago DE3 from Datago.com hopes to change all that. This home theater PC is distributed in the USA by ECost, and it promises to combine computer capabilities with VCR-level ease of use.
Contents And Price
The DE3 comes in two models, which differ in CPU speed, memory size and storage space. The model that we tested was the DGO-DE3P001, which has a Pentium 4 530 HT 3.0 GHz processor, 512 MB Dual-Channel DDR400 memory, and a 160 GB hard drive. It retails for approximately $1,600.
Included with the main unit are the following items:
IR blaster FM radio antenna Six AA batteries for the remote control and wireless keyboard/mouse combo Remote control Power cable Modem cordThe BenQ x730 Wireless Desktop Companion Pro is also included, which consists of a mouse, keyboard and wireless adapter. You don't have to use this particular mouse/keyboard combination; any USB keyboard and mouse will do. In fact, you can purchase a version of the DE3 without the BenQ Wireless Companion Pro for about $100 less.
Closer Look
Here are the technical specs of the unit.
| Synnex Datago DE3 Model DGO-DE3P001 | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Pentium 4 530 HT 3.0 GHz |
| Memory | 512MB (2x256) Dual-Channel DDR400 SDRAM |
| Graphics | ATI Radeon X300LE 128MB PCI Express |
| Audio | Intel 8-channel 24bit High-Definition Audio |
| Tuners | Dual NTSC STD definition w/HW encode |
| Radio | FM Radio Tuner |
| Hard Drive | 160 GB 7200 RPM SATA |
| Optical Drive | 16x Dual Layer DVD +/- RW Burner |
| Networking | Intel Pro 10/100 Ethernet
Intel Wireless 2200BG 56K Modem V.92 |
| Media Reader | 8 in 1 card reader
SM MMC/SD CF I/II MS/MS Pro |
| Ports | 4 X USB 2.0
3 X IEEE 1394 |
| OS | Microsoft Media Center 2005 |
| Remote | Media Center 2005 IR Remote |
| Input Devices | BenQ X730 Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo |