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Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs IBM Power Systems comparison

Dell Technologies and IBM are both solutions in the Rack Servers category. Dell Technologies is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.7, while IBM is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.9. Dell Technologies holds a 1.0% mindshare in Rack Servers, compared to IBM’s 8.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Dell Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 97% of IBM users who would recommend it.
Dell PowerEdge XE-Series
Read 11 Dell PowerEdge XE-Series reviews
  • 651 Views
  • 651 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
IBM Power Systems
Read 72 IBM Power Systems reviews
  • 3,876 Views
  • 3,876 Comparison Views
97% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 26, 2025

IBM Power Systems and Dell PowerEdge XE-Series compete in the advanced server solutions category. IBM Power Systems holds an advantage in virtualization capabilities, while Dell PowerEdge XE-Series is noted for integration ease with security solutions.

Features: IBM Power Systems are known for exceptional virtualization, high performance, and robust security features. Users can efficiently manage complex workloads with features such as Live Partition Mobility and PowerVM. Dell PowerEdge XE-Series emphasizes ease of integration, extensive storage, and VMware compatibility, making it suitable for adaptable environments with external solutions.

Room for Improvement: IBM Power Systems receive criticism for complex licensing and high pricing, with users seeking more transparency. Dell PowerEdge XE-Series could improve in scalability and stability, particularly in hardware expandability and management interfaces for dynamic workloads.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Power Systems are often on-premises with reliable support, though responses can vary by region. Users value IBM's expertise but suggest faster support. Dell PowerEdge XE-Series offers on-premises and cloud deployment options, with responsive customer service; some users note location-based variability but appreciate the engagement.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Power Systems feature higher upfront costs, compensated by long-term reliability and performance, though challenging for smaller organizations. Dell PowerEdge XE-Series is more affordable, offering competitive initial pricing and adaptable licensing models, enhancing cost-effectiveness for various scales.

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To learn more, read our detailed Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs. IBM Power Systems Report (Updated: September 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs. IBM Power Systems
September 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Dell PowerEdge XE-Series
Ranking in Rack Servers
9th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.0
Number of Reviews
11
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
IBM Power Systems
Ranking in Rack Servers
4th
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
4.8
Number of Reviews
72
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Rack Servers category, the mindshare of Dell PowerEdge XE-Series is 1.0%, down from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Power Systems is 8.6%, up from 8.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Rack Servers Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
IBM Power Systems8.6%
Dell PowerEdge XE-Series1.0%
Other90.4%
Rack Servers
 

Featured Reviews

Muzammil Nasim - PeerSpot reviewer
We're hardly using 15 percent of their computing power, so there's a lot left over that we could utilize
It should be easier to extend PowerEdge XE servers. We haven't architected them with an eye toward scalability. They have a fixed number of slots for hard drives, which is enough for our present use case, However, we would have more options if we could extend that. We could deploy the servers in a broader range of use cases with different requirements. It's fine for our current deployment with only a few thousand users. We're exploring other solutions like such as VxRail or PowerFlex for larger public-facing use cases.
Read full review
Foluso Jibowo - PeerSpot reviewer
Has empowered enterprises with secure and cost-effective solutions
When discussing disadvantages, I do not see many areas for improvement because we have received good testimonies from every client. IBM gives customers peace of mind. One challenge, which I would not really call a challenge, is that initially people have the notion that IBM Power Systems is quite expensive. However, IBM does not lose deals based on price. This is a message we need to keep communicating to people who feel that IBM is on the high side in terms of cost. We encourage them to have a discussion with us about their total cost of ownership over three or five years. There is a notion in the market that IBM is expensive, which is false. However, once we engage and show them their return on investments and their total cost of ownership savings, they tend to embrace IBM.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The resource management features are valuable."
"The most valuable feature of these servers is the ability to store a lot—the capacity and the number of hard disk drives."
"Its reliability and consistency are most valuable."
"In general, it works well. We haven't had issues."
"The most valuable feature is that it can support up to 32 drives of internal storage."
"The most valuable feature is the trusted platform module."
"The strong point of this solution is its compatibility with VMware and its resilience."
"One of the most valuable features of Dell PowerEdge XE Servers is the ease of fixing issues if there are any."
More Dell PowerEdge XE-Series pros
"We found working with IBM Power Systems that LPM is the most valuable feature."
"IBM Power Systems are secure and have fast processing."
"Power runs our resilient data systems, our high-end databases, stuff that can't go down."
"Active Memory Expansion allows you to compress your memory on the run time to allow you to have less physical memory available, but provision more memory to your partitions, as everything will be compressed on the fly."
"The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that the hardware is really good and reliable."
"We've been using it for a long time, and it's stable."
"When it comes to reliability, availability and profitability, nothing can beat IBM Power Systems."
"PowerVM."
More IBM Power Systems pros
 

Cons

"The quality and reliability could be improved."
"It should be easier to extend PowerEdge XE servers. We haven't architected them with an eye toward scalability. They have a fixed number of slots for hard drives, which is enough for our present use case, However, we would have more options if we could extend that. We could deploy the servers in a broader range of use cases with different requirements. It's fine for our current deployment with only a few thousand users. We're exploring other solutions like such as VxRail or PowerFlex for larger public-facing use cases."
"I would like to have support for performing a detailed analysis of the server from a mobile device."
"It is mostly stable, but the usual problem would be, for example, upgrading to a newer version of VMware or dealing with compatibility issues during the process."
"The support team must improve the speed of response."
"Upgrading can be a bit difficult."
"We use OpenManager a lot, and that can be a bit clunky at times. They can make that better."
"In future releases, there should be more support options for the latest processor."
More Dell PowerEdge XE-Series cons
"In Power6, latency was an issue, but nowadays, we are on Power8, which doesn't have any such problems. Sometimes, we have issues when we are moving to a new version, which is the case with almost every company. Some new issues or problems show up suddenly, and you do not have the time to research and find the solution. That's when we contact IBM technical support."
"The solution is quite expensive."
"I think the cost should be cheaper."
"Price and complexity related to the management of the solution are areas of concern in the solution where improvements are required."
"The solution is highly-priced."
"If you take advantage of some of these real advanced features, for oversubscribing as an example, it's not supported on Linux on Power. So that stops us, in particular, from going that way."
"Sometimes, the availability of additional services can be a challenge. Certain IBM software takes time to deliver to the client. It can be slow."
"It would be ideal if the solution was more simple to work with."
More IBM Power Systems cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"You always want slightly cheaper, but overall, they are quite comparable and quite neutral."
"This solution is priced very reasonably."
"There are different types of licensing available, that works well for customers. The product is not very much to purchase."
"If you want an SLA for parts and equipment then you need to purchase a support agreement."
"The pricing model is quite competitive."
"Dell has competitive pricing."
"The pricing is reasonable."
"The price of the solution could be somewhat better and this is what lowers my rating of it to a seven or eight out of ten."
"The licensing costs are okay. With IBM Power Systems, it's inclusive, so you can differentiate the price of the hardware from the software itself."
"The price of IBM Power Systems is expensive and could improve."
"IBM Power Systems is a really expensive product."
"The additional software costs are high."
"I give the cost a one out of ten."
"The price of the solution depends upon the configuration part of it. Based on what configuration you want to go for it, there is a range like IBM Power Systems POWER9 and IBM Power Systems Power10."
More IBM Power Systems pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Retailer
8%
University
6%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business4
Midsize Enterprise4
Large Enterprise3
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business17
Midsize Enterprise18
Large Enterprise42
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Dell PowerEdge XE Servers?
The resource management features are valuable.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Dell PowerEdge XE Servers?
Dell has competitive pricing.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Dell PowerEdge XE Servers?
For Dell PowerEdge XE Servers, particularly for standalone servers, extendability would be a great improvement. This feature is currently available only with virtualization environment. Adding exte...
See all answers
What do you like most about IBM Power Systems?
IBM Power Systems provides very good performance and stability compared to other brands or processors.
See all answers
What needs improvement with IBM Power Systems?
There are definitely areas for improvement, but that's not really from the technological side of things. I rarely find any people with Power skills on the market. When I get young people from unive...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for IBM Power Systems?
I use IBM Power Systems for online transactional processing, and in parts, also for online analytical processing. We mainly use IBM Power Systems' IBMI, which is an operating system with an integra...
See all answers
 

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Compared 21% of the time
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Compared 16% of the time
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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Rack Servers
August 2025
Dell PowerEdge XE-Series reportDownload Dell PowerEdge XE-Series product report
Buyer's Guide
IBM Power Systems
September 2025
IBM Power Systems reportDownload IBM Power Systems product report
 

Also Known As

PowerEdge XE Servers
IBM OpenPOWER LC
 

Overview

The PowerEdge XE-Series caters to AI-centric workloads by offering exceptional GPU support and processing power for demanding tasks like inferencing and large-scale training, making it ideal for organizations aiming to innovate with AI.

PowerEdge XE-Series stands out in modern GPU-centric computing with its purpose-built design for AI acceleration. Known for handling extreme workloads like model fine-tuning and AI-driven applications, it supports high-density GPU configurations and advanced thermal management. Its vast storage capacity and compatibility with VMware ensure reliable performance across virtualization, big data, and analytics while providing trusted security integration and robust scalability options. However, improvements in processor support, reliability, and management monitoring are sought by users.

What are the key features of PowerEdge XE-Series?
  • High-Density GPU Support: Configures multiple GPUs for demanding AI tasks.
  • Advanced Thermal Design: Optimizes cooling for enhanced performance.
  • Vast Storage Capacity: Supports up to 32 drives for extensive data management.
  • Compatibility: Works seamlessly with platforms like VMware.
  • Security Integration: Includes trusted platform modules for data protection.
What benefits should users expect from PowerEdge XE-Series?
  • Efficient AI Management: Enhances AI workloads with advanced processing.
  • Scalability: Adapts to growing demands in virtualization and big data.
  • Security: Offers robust data protection and reliability.
  • Improved Resource Management: Facilitates straightforward setup and usage.

In different industries, PowerEdge XE-Series is utilized for hosting SaaS, high-performance computing, and general-purpose servers. System integrators use it in client networks for applications like Hadoop, backup, and ERP. It supports virtualization and hyper-converged infrastructure solutions. Real estate sectors leverage iDRAC for efficient management, enhancing data security, power, and network redundancy.

Dell Technologies
IBM Power Systems are built to crush the most advanced data applications - from the mission-critical workloads you run today to the next generation of AI.
IBM
 

Sample Customers

Epsilon, ROZETTA CORP, JIGUANG, RACKSPACE, NEW BELGIUM BREWING
Cipher
Buyer's Guide
Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs. IBM Power Systems
September 2025
Free Report: Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs. IBM Power Systems
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