Mac Mini M4 owners, how is the internal dust situation with your Mini?

[neomorpheus]

As the ritle says, how dusty are your Minis?

Inspired by a similar thread but for the Studios, since its almost impossible to take them apart for a proper cleaning, their owners have resorted to stands, air filters and even a motorcycle filter, just to keep the dust out.

But i dont see such a thread here (mods, if it does exist, kindly delete this one).

So I ask, hows the dust situation and how are you mitigating it?

 

[HDFan]

Why are you worried by it? Is the unit in a particularly dusty environment?

 

[Dutch60]

Don't know about the dust in my rather new Mini, but is there any harm in using a vacuum cleaner every now and then?

 

[weckart]

Don't know about the dust in my rather new Mini, but is there any harm in using a vacuum cleaner every now and then?

Vacuums cause static which can destroy electronics. This is why pressurised air cannisters exist. Taking the base off a MM4 isn't that difficult and a soft non-static brush is probably all it needs occasionally if you have a dusty environment.

 

[Dutch60]

Vacuums cause static which can destroy electronics. This is why pressurised air cannisters exist. Taking the base off a MM4 isn't that difficult and a soft non-static brush is probably all it needs occasionally if you have a dusty environment.

Thank you. Didn't know that sucking air/dust causes static.

 

[weckart]

Thank you. Didn't know that sucking air/dust causes static.

You will probably see videos where people brush dust off computer internals and hold the vacuum a few inches away to catch the airborne dust. That seems to work. The problem is that the dust particles bouncing in the plastic nozzle causes a static build up and holding the nozzle close to any electrical part runs the risk of static sparks jumping over and blitzing something.

 

[Dutch60]

You will probably see videos where people brush dust off computer internals and hold the vacuum a few inches away to catch the airborne dust. That seems to work. The problem is that the dust particles bouncing in the plastic nozzle causes a static build up and holding the nozzle close to any electrical part runs the risk of static sparks jumping over and blitzing something.

Ok. Thank you for this explanation. I think, maybe the deciding factor here is the distance from nozzle to an electric part. I could imagine a strong (vacuum) cleaner not holding it "close to" an electric part, could do it. But then again it still would be a risky operation, I guess (who's to decide what's "close", or too close, right?).

 

[dmccloud]

There are dusters designed for electronics which blow air over the components rather than vacuuming the dust up. I have used those for years without any issues. If a machine is unusually dusty, I will clean it outside on the deck. Unlike pressurized air canisters, these dusters do nor produce any residue.

 

[Dutch60]

Isn’t blowing air over components just replacing dust?

 

[M4th]

Not if you have one like this...

(just kidding)

 

[sw1tcher]

Not if you have one like this...

View attachment 2497544

(just kidding)

Is that the new/updated Acme A-1 dust disintegrating pistol?

 

[IJustWannaTalk]

My 2014 Mac Mini has been running 24/7 in a cabinet for eight years, without fail.

Should I have been disassembling and dusting it this entire time?

I live in the desert.

 

[dukebound85]

My 2014 Mac Mini has been running 24/7 in a cabinet for eight years, without fail.

Should I have been disassembling and dusting it this entire time?

I live in the desert.

yes, otherwise it may fail/s

 

[halo9]

Lots of concern about vacuums and static. The fact is that there is a potential for static, not a definite there will be static and it will destroy electronics. I’ve worked in pc and laptop repairs for over 20 years and have used nothing but a vacuum for dusting with a soft bristle attachment. Zero issues ever after thousands of components. The secret, ground the vacuum handle and wear your grounding strap.

 

[Dutch60]

How do you ground it?