For many years I have used a portable vacuum to clean out my customer's computers when I make house calls. I now have replaced that vacuum and only use the Metro DataVac Electric Duster.This nifty electric duster is basically one of Metro's powerful vacuum motors enclosed in a small can. It comes with many attachments and outputs a very powerful and consistent stream of air. Unlike expensive air cans which become cold and loose their power after a few minutes of use, the Electric Duster blows hard as long as you need it to.
Some of the cons to using this instead of a vacuum is the fact you will need to take the PC outside to blow it out otherwise dust will go everywhere (you will not believe how much dust comes out of some of them, easily 10 times more than a normal compressed air can would blow out). It runs on standard 120v AC so you will need to have a plug available within range of the (ample) 15ft or so foot cord. If you use it continuously for more than 5 minutes or so the air and can becomes very hot but not so hot that it will burn you or cause problems for the PC. It is also VERY loud, louder than most Vacuums.
The positives vs vacuuming the PC, or using a standard compressed air can, outweigh the negatives. The risk of accidentally damaging a component or creating a static discharge when using a vacuum is higher (although I have never had this happen). A vacuum will do a good job at cleaning the PC, but the force of the air stream from the Electric Duster is very powerful and reaches cracks and crevasses to blow out dust in places I didn't even knew existed! Versus compressed air, aside from the massive savings, you also have no problem turning the Electric Duster upside down or at any angle to position it compressed air cans will blow ice out if you turn them upside down. The Electric Duster is also much smaller and easier to carry around than my portable vacuum. Finally, the Electric Duster is environmentally friendly compared to compressed air cans or even Vacuums which you have to throw away the bags etc.
While the Electric Duster is a bit pricey for people who only need an air can every now and then, for those of you who buy a lot of compressed air, or need something a lot stronger, this is a must have replacement.
UPDATE: Almost a year later this blower is still working strong! The complaints about the black nozzle shooting off seen in other reviews were listened to by Metro and the newer versions have a button/release mechanism. I still stand behind this 5-star review!
UPDATE: Two years now, my original blower is still a strong as day one. I now own two more just for convenience, I keep one in the car for on site work, one at the office, the other at home! The price seems to vary greatly, so look around and you may catch it on sale!
UPDATE: I have added a video of me blowing out dust from two computers. This is typical of the amount of dust in a computer that has never been cleaned for a couple of years in a home that has pets. As you can see in the video, the MetroVac is VERY strong and blows out TONS of dust. It gets in cracks and crevasses that a normal air can wouldn't come close to blowing out, and you don't have to worry about moisture that can be blown out of other compressed air alternatives.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There is another listing for this product on Amazon: Metro Vacuum ED500P DataVac 500-Watt, .75-HP Electric Duster. This is the same as this listing, it is NOT a different version as the description there states! Don't get fooled, it is much less expensive at this listing!
4 YEAR UPDATE!
Its been four years and I now own three Metro Dusters for convenience of leaving them at home, office and car. Even the oldest of my Dusters, one of the first generation ones without the nozzle attachment button, is still going strong! A great product!
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