This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Mac Pro tower (2009-2012), with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a workstation from 2012, identified by model number A1289. Parts are matched to the exact chassis, so the model number matters when we quote.
- Model number
- A1289
- Model identifier
- MacPro5,1
- Released
- 2012
- Type
- Workstation
- Storage
- SATA bays and M.2, by configuration
- Memory
- DIMM slots
Repairs we carry out on the Mac Pro tower
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.
SSD and storage upgrade
The Mac Pro tower has room for SATA drives and, on most boards, an M.2 SSD. The usual upgrade is an SSD for Windows and programs with the old drive kept for storage.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory upgrade
The Mac Pro tower 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.
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.
We also carry out logic board repair, macOS reinstallation on the Mac Pro tower, along with no-picture and no-boot diagnosis, port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement and data transfer to a new PC.
Notes from the workshop
- The 2009 to 2012 tower is fully modular, with standard drive bays and memory slots, and is still worth upgrading for some workloads.
- 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.
Data recovery from the Mac Pro tower
Desktop drives are removed and imaged on our own equipment. If the Mac Pro tower has more than one drive, or a RAID array, bring the whole machine so we can see how it was set up.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Mac Pro tower sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro range are the newer Mac Pro cylinder (2013). Storage differs too: SATA bays and M.2, by configuration on the Mac Pro tower, removable Apple-format SSD on the Mac Pro cylinder. It is the earliest model of the range that we list.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Mac Pro tower be upgraded?
Drives can be added or replaced. Memory uses standard slots and can be increased.
My Mac Pro tower 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 tower 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 tower?
In most cases, yes. We first check the power supply, the physical space and any manufacturer-specific connectors, then fit and test the card.