This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Mac Pro cylinder (2013), with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a workstation from 2013, identified by model number A1481. Parts are matched to the exact chassis, so the model number matters when we quote.
- Model number
- A1481
- Model identifier
- MacPro6,1
- Released
- 2013
- Type
- Workstation
- Storage
- Removable Apple-format SSD
- Memory
- DIMM slots
Mac Pro cylinder repairs and upgrades
Power supply repair
We test and replace failed power supplies. Many branded desktops use a manufacturer-specific unit, which we match to the exact chassis.
Graphics repair
We diagnose and replace failed graphics cards, and check that the power supply and case can take the card you want before an upgrade.
SSD and storage upgrade
The SSD in the Mac Pro cylinder is a removable Apple-format module and can be replaced with a larger compatible drive.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory upgrade
The Mac Pro cylinder uses standard desktop memory. We check the board’s limits and fit matched modules.
Overheating and fan repair
Overheating and noise are usually dust or a failing fan. We clean the system, replace what has failed and check temperatures under load.
macOS reinstall and repair
We reinstall macOS and migrate your data. Apple no longer offers the latest macOS for this Mac, so we install the newest version it supports.
We also carry out logic board repair, macOS reinstallation on the Mac Pro cylinder, along with no-picture and no-boot diagnosis, port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement and data transfer to a new PC.
What we see on the bench
- Storage modules in the Mac Studio and 2019 Mac Pro are tied to the machine’s security chip and cannot simply be read in another computer.
- The 2009 to 2012 tower is fully modular, with standard drive bays and memory slots, and is still worth upgrading for some workloads.
Data recovery from the Mac Pro cylinder
The SSD in the Mac Pro cylinder is a removable Apple-format module. We read it in an adapter on our own equipment, so data can usually be recovered even when the Mac itself is beyond repair.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Mac Pro cylinder sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro range are the older Mac Pro tower (2012) and the newer Mac Pro (2019). Storage differs too: removable Apple-format SSD on the Mac Pro cylinder, SATA bays and M.2, by configuration on the Mac Pro tower.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Mac Pro cylinder be upgraded?
The Apple-format SSD can be replaced with a larger compatible one. Memory uses standard slots and can be increased.
My Mac Pro cylinder will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Usually not. The drive is separate from the fault in most cases, and we can remove it and copy your files even if the machine itself is not worth repairing.
How do I get my Mac Pro cylinder to you?
Bring it to our workshop at Unit 1 The Willows, 80 Willow Walk, London SE1 5SY, or call 020 7237 6805 to ask about courier collection. We confirm the price before any work starts.
Can you upgrade the graphics card in a Mac Pro cylinder?
In most cases, yes. We first check the power supply, the physical space and any manufacturer-specific connectors, then fit and test the card.