A Computer Mini Vacuum that really sucks bad

PC Accessories made some good products. This was not one of them.
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
1:57 Unboxing
3:39 Testing
7:08 Conclusion
#VintageComputer #VacuumCleaner #RetroTech

[@NanoBurger]

No mini-vacuums were harmed in the making of this video. Oh, wait!

[@_to_dream_or_not_to_dream]

Reminds me of a joke about Dell: the only thing that doesn't suck is the vacuum cleaner.

[@cardboardsnail]

As soon as I heard "2 AA batteries", I knew how this was going to turn out :p

[@prk55]

When these first came out they used a 9v battery and this gave a weak but useable suction. However, the low capacity of a 9v battery meant that they didn’t last long. The AA version lasted longer but didn’t have the power to overcome the losses in the poorly fitted plastic parts. Plus the switch was just two pieces of metal and had quite an electrical resistance (hence pressing harder gave better contact). So much so that the contact would get warm.

[@vaulter2k18]

There’s a reason why in 1974 MetroVac released the DataVac running off of 120V A/C. It needs a lot of power to actually do something useful. Maybe trying testing out a 1st edition of those?

[@volvo09]

Yeah, a couple AA batteries won't do a thing! Might as well use a paint brush and tap the keyboard upside down, it will do an infinitely better job.

[@EdLawless]

I have a metro Datavac Pro. It definitely gets the business done. I use it to clean my tower and keyboard fairly regularly. But like @vaulter2k18 said. 120v motor is what gets it done. I only wish they made better filter bags for it. But its certainly easy carry it around for cleaning up stereos or computers. ;-)

[@EricAdamsYT]

I looked at these in catalogs for years and assumed they didn't work. I feel a bit vindicated after seeing this. Good idea for a video!

[@mileshigh1321]

The one in the magazine was run off a 9V battery it shows. Maybe that extra power would have helped, but not with just 3 Volts!

[@deepblueskyshine]

"Turbo mode" most probably consists of oxidized "business ends" of the thin strips of nickel plated at best or more likely zink plated sheet metal making the switch which at higher pressure have less contact resistance.

[@apl175]

I remember reading through the GLOBAL and Inmac catalogs in the High School library in the brief period we had after lunch. For some reason the librarians decided it was worthy of the periodicals rack. The librarians and the A/V person would sometimes ask a few of us in the know kids what to order....

[@dashcamandy2242]

My high school Computer Coordinator was ecstatic when I told her we could use shielded S-Video cables to replace damaged Apple ADB cables, I saved the school a decent chunk of change in our repair budget. 🤣She even ordered beige ones, so it looked mostly-legit. I was in Video Productions classes, while also maintaining two Mac labs, in the 90s, so I stumbled across that purely by accident.

[@foxyloon]

That looks fairly similar to the vacuum that Ethan Hawke's character uses in Gattaca to vacuum up his keyboard/desk. If that vacuum worked as well as this one, Vincent would have been caught fairly quickly, hehe~

[@seanguy9720]

Was thinking the exact same thing. That movie had great props

[@Markimark151]

Those things were terrible even in middle school, I used to clean computer keyboards in the library, they never worked that the library went back to using a Dirt Devil hand vac!

[@Foxonian]

I used to use cheap watercolor paint brushes back in the day. Did the trick.

[@clovers-vintage-all-sorts]

I use a toothbrush.

[@volvo09]

Paint brushes work good. I used a small home painting brush when I did tech support. Super easy to clean a keyboard off, especially with some alcohol to clean the hand oils off. Some people would think I got them a new computer and I'd say no I just cleaned it 😂

[@dashcamandy2242]

@@volvo09 Also, there's these cheap throwaway brushes called "acid brushes" or "flux brushes" which are made of horsehair; they work really well for keyboards and other nooks and crannies. You can lose a bristle here and there, but again they're super-cheap (especially in bulk) so you don't have to worry about mangling the bristles if you need to jab at a particular spot.

[@plan7a]

A makeup brush works well also. Just saying! None of these will suck up the lose debris however. Saying that neither did this vacuum, so I guess they have that in common?

[@juxxtapoz]

RIP Mini Vacuum.

[@Daniel-79]

I remember BEST, I bought a Soundesign stereo there. That stereo looked powerful but was a gutless and distorted wonder

[@plateshutoverlock]

"Soundesign" I remember those being close to bottom of the barrel back in the day.

[@twocvbloke]

I've never had a miniature vacuum cleaner that worked as advertised, even the desktop Henry vacuum (more a novelty than vacuum) barely picked anything up, even had a USB miniature upright vacuum cleaner, made all the noise, but cleaned up nothing... :P

[@circuitpig]

OMG the BEST price tag took me back. I used to love that store!

[@PrankZabba]

That's definitely a Toke-A-Matic.

[@keithfulkerson]

For that sloooow burn.

[@proCaylak]

could you explain it to me? I didn't get it.

[@voltare2amstereo]

​@@proCaylak🌿🕯️🚬

[@proCaylak]

@@voltare2amstereo aight, thanks.

[@tcdahn7]

They totally attached a bowl to the top of it.

[@Mrcharrio]

A flat soft medium sized paintbrush works great and can be used on many dusty electronics. These things never worked well other than the bristles on their attachments, so just use keep a paintbrush just for dusting.

[@Vee_H.]

It's e-waste now...and it was considered e-waste back then too.

[@volvo09]

Yep, back in the day "landfill fodder" was just as much a thing as it is now.

[@viktorakhmedov3442]

It's historical e-waste though.

[@bens1343]

to quote another KZbinr, can you believe no one bought these?

[@ssm316]

I got a Temu version of these that doubles as an air sprayer. Works decently well actually has suction.

[@Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials]

So the "turbo" was just oxide on the pushbutton😀 it looks like the cr*p were selling in the '90s as automobile accessories🤣🤣🤣

[@Gadgetman1989]

No joke my dad worked in a computer store as a sales rep and I had a few of these and loved them, as even though it was kinda a gimmick in a way, I still love these and want to get another simply to tear it down and make my own little device again

[@atkelar]

I had one of those... but turning the keyboard over got rid of more dust/crumbs than it ever picked up. I do also own a small USB rechargable modern one that works reasonably well. EDIT: just as I expected: the cleanest part is the dust collection bin. 😸

[@Madness832]

In the literal sense, it doesn't suck (much)!

[@chrislj2890]

I tried using my Craftsman shop vac and it worked great, but I had to reinstall all of the keys after it ripped them off.

[@hattree]

That was Best Products, the catalog showroom. They had some merch you could pick up off the floor that was labeled self-service. Other items had to be ordered at a counter to come from the stockroom.

[@alanlovesheidi1]

I see these every Christmas the little cheap gifts at like Walmart and other stores in the corner

[@fiero880]

Attach two wires and supply it with 12 volts and see how it does. 🤣 that’s what we would have done as kids back then.

[@revoltosotintan]

hi from Mexico, I like to watch your videos

[@D725U]

I had one of these but it ran on AC power. Didn't clean anything and the motor would get piping hot after a couple of minutes of use

[@Metal_Maxine]

I was hoping for the teeny-tiny little vacuum cleaner dust bag they showed in the catalogue. It might not have been more use, but it was definitely cuter (and less likely to rot than a foam insert).

[@steviebboy69]

I had something similar to this years ago and it had no suction and I just pulled the motor out of it and junked the rest. If I have to clean a keyboard these days I just use that big circular brush that comes with the proper vacuum cleaner that I have and it works great.

[@1903tx]

I recall seeing that exact device sold as an electric pipe in the 90s. The inlet had a bowl on it and the outlet had a mouthpiece.

[@compdude512]

For something in this vein that really does work, the Metro DataVac ED500 is awesome. I think I paid $29 for mine when I bought it 12 years ago, and it was worth every penny. It not only cleans out your keyboard, it'll blow out a case fan motor if you're not careful! My one regret is not spending the $5 on the Metro version of this thing when it turned up at the flea market a while back. Theirs runs on 120V AC line voltage and would probably blow the keys off the keyboard.

[@yanks1fan09]

I worked for Gemini Industries in the Mid 80's servicing all their Home Depot customers on the Island. They were better know for all the cables and accessories you needed when hooking up your tv. It was their bread and butter and also blank cassette tapes which were low grade. I will say they treated me nice sending me all sorts of goodies including beach towels. I know they were bought out maybe Phillips?

[@viktorakhmedov3442]

I like to ride the Gemini at Cedar Point.

[@dashcamandy2242]

Our family bought quite a few basic TV essentials that were Gemini-branded. Set-top antennas, A/B coax antenna switches, UHF/VHF splitters, impedance-matching transformers... It was a popular brand in department stores like Bradlees, Caldor, and Ames, which were our only local options. You should've seen the living room setup we used to have back in the late-80s and early-90s. Rooftop antenna, 1970s Panasonic 15" color TV (we still have it, believe it or not, but it needs work) with separate UHF and VHF inputs, two VCRs with separate UHF and VHF inputs, 8' mesh satellite dish, VideoCipherII descrambler, and depending on the year, either the Atari 2600 or the NES. Gemini (and, to a lesser extent, Recoton) products made that nightmare wiring job possible. 🤪 The back of the entertainment center looked like Spaghetti Junction and we had two separate 8-outlet surge protectors to power it all. If only I had been able to convince my father to move his '70s component stereo system to the other side of the living room, over near the entertainment center. His amplifier had an unused pair of Line-In jacks...😆

[@rashycomputes]

I still remember we sold these USB Vacuums in the early 2010's, funny too see that things did not change form the 90's. What i use and recommend for cleaning Keyboards and PC's is the IT Dusters CompuCleaner.

[@feralkitty33]

I have a Data-Vac and I love it! Strangely enough it has the same accessories

[@KC4RAE]

I have a cheap 12 volt vacuum. Perhaps i should try that on computer equipment. it's pretty tiny, but it does work.

[@albear972]

It seemed that that was a battery wasting noisemaker.

[@Caseytify]

A fitting end... 😏

[@DasKmbH]

Had one of those, too. Same fate. But it can blow out candles.. wow! That thing should have gone straight from production to landfill... 🙄

[@vittekantilles4178]

Oh man this brings back memories. I had one of those cause it was one of the few things I could afford as kid.... and it sucked, not in the good way. And it broke the next day.

[@JeffreyPiatt]

it was Sold at BEST catalog stores. the Self Service was a department where they put small items and sold them like a discount store.

[@HeffeJeffe78]

It’s the Conundrum Vacuum- it both sucks and doesn’t suck at the same time!

[@HazewinDog]

I expected bad, but this is... wow.

[@MerseyRoad]

What an ironic lil vacuum.. 🤣

[@1975Loeven]

"Nothing sucks like Electrolux" 😀. I actually have one of those later USB-driven cleaners somewhere in my pile of junk. It's the same kind of gimmick, it makes a hell of a racket but nothing more. Good for parts if i need a motor for something else one day.

[@kumarp3074]

Every couple of months a take all of my key caps off and thoroughly clean everything. That's the only way I've found to get all the stuff that falls between the keys.

[@marcaurelb]

I always thought „this sucks“ is good for Vakuum cleaners …

[@alexandermirdzveli3200]

I remember that base unit! In the 90s, I once bought a motorized smoking blower. It looked very much like it and did blow as hell.

[@justapeasant8949]

When it comes to keyboard, desk, case & speakers, I always use damp microfiber cloth. As for the sucking out the dust from the case filter, 2200W household vacuum does the trick superbly. For the dust within the desktop case, anti-static Makita blower (600W) makes it dust free... and creates a hazmat zone outdoor☣☢😆

[@jamesdrake6200]

I don't think ANY of those mini vacuums actually did anything. I was gifted one many years ago, it was totally useless.

[@DerekLippold]

No but my grandmother had one that was intended for vacuuming up bugs. Did not work too well.

[@dathat3204]

Your humor is so dry that even this unassuming review almost made me choke on my dinner.

[@clovers-vintage-all-sorts]

How does something like this even get made, boxed, and sold, when it clearly doesn't work at all?

[@straightpipediesel]

Welcome to the time before reviews on shopping pages

[@ozzymandius666]

Modern mini-cordless vacuums work pretty well.

[@Godzilla941]

impeller on that thing doesn't have a proper scroll housing, just a little port on the side. Only air that can come out is what is passing by at that particular time the impeller blade gets there. More fire alarm siren than air mover, unfortunately. The O.G. 9V Mini-Vac was the same way, but had a nice metal threaded dust bag attachment with Velcro closure on it along with really soft brush attachments. They tried. 🥺 I normally use a repurposed 40mm 25k+ RPM 'Server fan' to clean my keyboards with whatever high current 12V source is around since I'm kind of a barbarian. Watch your fingers. 🤪

[@novelezra]

These terrible vacuums have severely warped my perspective on this kind of tech since I was a kid. Even now, I just don't trust vacuums to do what they say. I'd rather just use a lint roller on my stuff.

[@BlackEpyon]

If you fail to suck at your job, does that mean you succeeded?

[@nourspace]

Midnight watching funny dude testing decade old mini vacuums

[@markkillion8980]

It is a great country, isn’t it?

[@GarthBeagle]

This goes into the same lot as a Salad Shooter

[@oldmanafraidof4236]

There's no life without that wondermaker 😉...

[@Blink_____]

hahaha I got one of these from Staples in the 90s. It picked up some stuff sometimes but really was junk. Better for larger debris like crumbs and stuff maybe

[@robertoney5665]

Wow! That vacuum really sucks!

[@jamesdye4603]

My girlfriend at the time bought me one of these, but I had a custom clear plastic cover on my keyboard. I have no idea what brand of vacuum it was, whether it worked or not, or what might have happened to it. Still have the keyboard with the cover on it, it's plugged into my windows 98 machine that I fiddle with occasionally. The cover was made by a company called Viziflex Seels Inc. in NJ. Don't know if they are even still in business.

[@emily1743]

I remember BEST. The whole chain went under in 1994 or 1995 I think.

[@CommanderZx2]

I once received a modern one of these as a gift, it was also completely useless just like this battery powered one.

[@LudovicoOperti]

I had one very similar to this, but it worked with a 9v battery. It always sounded like it was going to blow up or catch fire, and of course it did.

[@beepster991]

Amazing... It literally sucks and blows at the same time...

[@bbuggediffy]

Hey! Nice Tandy

[@RoughJustice2k18]

I would rather use a can of compressed air (in short doses) and a soft, dry brush to gently remove dust from a PC case, keyboard, or other electronic devices. Better results than a small vacuum which is obviously underpowered. I am glad you profiled this item and it's one to avoid. 😇

[@frankowalker4662]

Tested to destruction.

[@621pw]

Pony hair!! That oughta' make all the difference. I don't know about everyone here, but horse hair just doesn't cut it..😂

[@gbraadnl]

7:08 a regular make-up brush

[@mushroomsamba82]

I automatically thought of that weed smoking gadget Stacy Keach uses in Up In Smoke 😅

[@markkillion8980]

You seem to be a good sport about purchasing things to test. I’m sure that, on some occasions, you get frustrated when you acquire a useless item. Interestingly enough, I have mini brush very similar to the brush you were using. It had a hose of about the same diameter of your brush device. That lead to an adapter that fit into an actual home vacuum cleaner. There was a knob that could be swiveled to “bleed off” air, as the home device might be too powerful. It worked pretty well.

[@rycat2600]

I just use a Black & Decker rechargeable hand-vac that I've had for at least 12 years

[@rarbiart]

one of the novelty items, so cheap that you feel too ashamed to bring it back to the shop, since they scammed you into buying it.

[@bcostin]

Well-meaning people kept giving me those as gifts. It was a relatively inexpensive and easily understood accessory for that "computer guy" in your life, I guess. I took them apart to play with the motors.

[@ingenfestbrems]

Glue some felt under the vacuum end. And try it with wet washing record fluid. I mean vacuum off the fluid. Seen it done and the results was pretty good

[@tcdahn7]

These were used to make electric bowls they sold at the head shop.

[@briangoldberg4439]

It was called "Best Products," the "Self Service" tag is some kind of department category or something like that

[@Whyexes]

Every product I’ve ever used that was designed to clean a keyboard was totally useless. I’ve used the mini vacs. I’ve used that slime stuff and I have a particular hatred for that ridiculous product because it literally makes your keyboard dirtier by design. Nothing works as good as some compressed air, and a Q-tip with cleaner on it.

[@VariXx]

These devices were made so you dont have to make vacuum noises while brushing your electronics.

[@AndrewW2001a]

I'd be curious to see if it picks up any small crumbs for instance.

[@daemonspudguy]

I use canned air to dust my keyboard.

[@mistervacation23]

That's nothing I took a Environmental gas can nozzle and smashed to bits with a hammer. They should call it piece o' junk. Leave it to the EPA to come up with some crap like that

[@RJDA.Dakota]

Very unfortunate. I used to have a hand vac that took 2 c cells. It actually used to work well for what it was.

[@shmehfleh3115]

Hey, Best! I remember that place!

[@davidg4288]

What is this "clean keyboard" concept? Mine at work was always a biohazard. I had a habit of eating at my workstation which isn't good for the keyboard. Once I spilled a Coke into it (not diet Coke either) and I figured that'd be the end of it. So I took it into the bathroom and washed it, all kinds of crumbs and ants came out. I dried it with the electric hand drier and let it dry more near a heat vent for a long weekend. It actually worked, I did not expect that. It was probably an HP or Compaq which were the same thing at the time. 1990's I think.

[@Drmcclung]

To me these always looked more like sex toys than computer cleaning tools.. I guess to put in the same box as the little bottle of po... I meant tape head cleaner? What was the connection with sex and electronics back then??! Puzzles me to this day, and I was there! 🤣

[@raymondmartin6737]

Does it work well in your car radio and dash? 😮

[@cjsebes]

Pft! Dust. The REAL test would be on an old keyboard with Cheetos and Doritos bits inside.

[@charles2241]

When a vacuum cleaner sucks, it doesn't suck. When it doesn't suck, it sucks. Thus an endless cycle.

[@valvenator]

I think the average person would just use the brush attachment on the regular vacuum while they were cleaning the house. Gets the work done in seconds with a swipe or three.

[@DanielleWhite]

I remember being gifted one around 1994. It worked okay at the time to deal with very light dust and lint but it was nothing to write home about. The various joints were a bit loose on the one I had

[@viktorakhmedov3442]

My uncle Randy used one of these to clean out his toe and belly button lint but eventually it became too difficult to access his belly button and he couldn't reach his toes anymore so he gave it to my cousin who used it to clean the butt crusties off her cat.

[@christo930]

A small turbo charger for a small (say 2 liter) engine will need about 20 HP to develop 15lbs of boost. A good quality vacuum cleaner, which primarily uses carpet agitation to clean a carpet will use at least 1000 watts. Granted, both of these are much bigger. But I would expect an effective vacuum cleaner this size would use at least 100 watts and with a totally different design. It's just a low cost low priced gimmick.

[@Mizai]

interesting video again

[@coondogtheman]

I have a mini vacuum that runs on USB and it looks like a mini dustbuster style vac and the nozzle is a piece of heat shrink tubing. It doesn't work very well so I'm thinking of trying it on a higher voltage than USB. Wish I had that the one you have because it would be good for parts.