Reddit reviews Metro Vacuum MDV-1BA DataVac Pro 4.5-AMP Computer Vac/Blower

There is a model from the same brand that is a vacuum too:

http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR

Have it in our IT shop, it's an invaluable tool.

This baby right here. It won't vacuum toner for shit, but it blows like OP's mom for the same amount of money.

You can get a vacuum that's designed for use on computer equipment for under $100.

A quick Amazon search revealed:

Metro Vacuum MDV-1BA DataVac Pro 4.5-AMP Computer Vac/Blower

https://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR

4.5 stars rating, $80 and Prime eligible shipping.

I did this. If I can justify it, I can get it.

I've gotten:

• Metro Datavac Pro -- Love this, actually saves money of cost of canned air. Sucks and blows--simultaneously. That's what she said.
  
  
• Quad monitor setup. It was ~ $100 for the monitor stand (now much cheaper), I had the monitors already, and $230 for a FirePro 2450. Best investment ever. There's so much room for activities!
  
  
• Velcro roll. Just do it, you'll thank me later.
  
  
• Cleaning supplies: Wypall X80 Towels, Goo Gone, and Techspray. Those towels are heavy duty and last forever, you'll probably never need more than a box in 2-3 years. I clean every computer that comes through my office.
  
  
• I inherited here two label makers: 3M PL200 and Brother PT-1290. I prefer the 3M... it has SOOOO many modes and features. They have their different uses, though.
  
  
• A whiteboard.
  
  EDIT: Formatting.
  
  Also...
  
  
• The Skil 2362 Driver/Drill that I inherited is amazing.
  
  
• I also inherited a Milwaukee 1/2" Driver Drill which has been amazing. I don't have the side handle, but I have an extra battery. I also got a 2 3/8" hole saw the other day for my wire grommets. I almost never have to bug facilities/maintenance guys, just for wire runs.

> vacuum out your system every so often.

Not a good idea to use a standard vacuum cleaner as it can build up static. And we all know static is very bad for electronic components. Best bet is to use a can of compressed air. Or, you can get a specialized vacuum such as this which is designed for PC use.

I know this is a VERY expensive alternative...However, I bought this vacuum/blower off of Amazon off of amazon about 5 years ago and I've been using it ever since.
It's been amazing so far, haven't purchased canned air in a long time. I'm sure their are cheaper versions of this out there somewhere.

You do get some that are designed to not generate static.

How does it compare to something like this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00006IAOR/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475269451&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=metro+vac
Or there's one on Amazon that seems exact same as yours under different names is one the original?


Also I don't get how this won't cause esd but a normal vacuum would ? If you don't touch the tip to the pc charge has to build in the air plus if you hold it with one hand and have a wrist strap shouldn't there be no voltage between vacuum and pc?

In addition to fan filters, something like this would be better than canned air http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1452104656&sr=1-3&keywords=desktop+vacuum

Use a computer vacuum like this one http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417703098&sr=8-1&keywords=computer+vacuum

it works alot better then can air and its cheaper then always buying more cans.

Probably not. Static free vacs are quite explicit in what they do: https://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1497338234&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=static+free+vacuum

I got myself this bad boy right here and it can blow dust out of places you didn't even know about.

This is a really bad idea, the engine inside that leaf blower is going to create a huge amount of static. The wind is also so strong that it may blow off small parts.

If you are tired of buying canned air, invest in a DataVac. They are small vacuum/blowers that are specially designed to be used on computers. They are just strong enough to blow of dust but not strong enough to damage your components.

My PSU overheated a couple months ago (luckily it had overheating protection and just shut off and wouldn't turn back on for a bit instead of dying on me) so I decided to do a thorough cleaning (I usually do a quick cleaning every couple months).

I opened up my case and sprayed it all out with canned air. I thought it was pretty clean, it ran a little cooler. For fun, I bought this PC mini-vac and went crazy with it. I was blown away (ha, puns) by the amount of dust that the vac managed to get out that the canned air did not.

PC runs much better now, and GPU temps dropped by about 20C. It's like new again!

Instead of buying cases of compressed air, get something like this. Vacuum computer dust, freakin toner, or just go to town on your whole office :o

You want a Vacuum/Blower both. Dick suckin machine sold separately

How about this combination blower/vacuum? I've always wanted to use a static-safe vacuum inside my case because blowing more air at it doesn't always get all the dust out.

The initial investment seems like a lot, but I guess I'll save more over time compared to buying $10 cans of air.

We have 5 cats in the house.
They do stick their faces in the fans - Briefly. Actually once all of them got smell it, figure out it wasn't food or going to move, they ignored it.
For cat hair and general PC hygiene I highly recommend the tool below. Easiest way to get rid of dust and hair from a PC ever and cheaper in the long run than canned air.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IAOR/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Vacuum isn't really the right word. Its just a blower basically. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IAOR/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is? I don't own that particular one, I just looked for something similar to what I use. I found one that actually looks like a vac but its very expensive https://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR/ref=pd_sim_60_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G6F7SAX9MB3X1RBJAN71

I don't have those prices here but it's a pain in the ass anyways. I only use the compressor if I'm doing a deep teardown and clean.

Due to that I've been looking hard at data vacs on amazon. Like this guy with vac/blow: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IAOR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_UuHOAbN7DDS66

This one is a bit more expensive and a bit bigger, but I love the vacuum attachments to do the main work blasting tons of dust everywhere.

I use my Metro Vac for loose stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1420426163&sr=8-5&keywords=metrovac

Running it under the shower is for the gross sticky stuff.

I use a air compressor that was specifically designed as a computer blower/vacuum. Depending on which side you connect your hose to, will designate whether it's a blower or vacuum.

Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR

I used to use this blower: http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW

I still do, mostly out-side. If I'm somewhere that I can't remove the hardware I'll just try to use the vacuum feature on the first link I wrote above.

Here's what I use

I bought one of these years ago for the same reason at work ... One of the best things I ever bought. Came with special filters for toner, powerful as can be so totally replaced canned air ... and very very well built. I recall it was a bit pricey, but it was completely, totally worth it.

Edit: Found the one I had -- Looks exactly the same. I miss this thing! What a great unit, and it looks like it's still American Made, too! Good for them.

Double edit: looks like they have two versions now ... this is the actual one we had -- Appears this one has the two speeds (as I recall) and a more powerful motor -- but is more than 2x the price.

> I have no clue how that got damaged by the vacuum cleaner

It probably died from static electricity generated by the vacuum.

You can buy anti-static vacuums (random example) or air pump blowers (example) or simply a can of compressed air

You are luck that fans are electric motors, not electronic and power supplies are designed to supply more power that a static discharge can create.

You can use a pc vac,
https://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_60_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PB9T9ASTV4TZ2BJK3AA6
or compressed air, either from a can or from a compressor.

What's your definition of "cheap"? If $70 is acceptable : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IAOR

Like the Mega Maid, it can go from suck to blow.

I use the ED500, which is only a blower.

http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-MDV-1BA-DataVac-Computer/dp/B00006IAOR

Got this lovely Guy a while back. It's so nice to have.


Also, Adhesive on the back? Or no?

I've almost picked up a little pancake from there a few times.

For this use case I'm looking at [this one] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IAOR/ref=psdc_3743521_t1_B001J4ZOAW). The whole family has allergies so I'd rather get all the dust in the vac than in the air. Even if the vac doesn't get it all I can still blow the rest out.