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Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs IBM Power Systems comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

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 Servers
Ranking in Rack Servers
11th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.9
Number of Reviews
10
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
IBM Power Systems
Ranking in Rack Servers
4th
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
8.5
Number of Reviews
69
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2025, in the Rack Servers category, the mindshare of Dell PowerEdge XE Servers is 1.1%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Power Systems is 9.1%, up from 9.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
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.
Omobolaji Olaloku - PeerSpot reviewer
Extremely stable, good ROI, and scalable
The most valuable feature of our machines is their ability to replace faulty parts without causing any downtime. Our servers are equipped with advanced technology, making it possible to replace defective parts without having to bring down the servers. This is crucial, as any disruption to our services would result in inconvenience to our customers. Therefore, being able to service the machines and replace parts without causing any downtime is highly beneficial.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution is flexible in my experience."
"Its reliability and consistency are most valuable."
"The most valuable feature is the trusted platform module."
"The resource management features are valuable."
"The most valuable feature is that it can support up to 32 drives of internal storage."
"PowerEdge XE servers are high-performing. We're hardly using 15 percent of their computing power, so there's a lot left over that we could utilize."
"One of the most valuable features of Dell PowerEdge XE Servers is the ease of fixing issues if there are any."
"In general, it works well. We haven't had issues."
"I can have what they call multi-tenancy, meaning that I can have multiple tenants within the same server."
"The performance and stability are great."
"Power VM gives us the flexibility to increase or decrease machine resources when required."
"The installation is easy."
"The performance is the solution's most valuable asset. It has one of the highest levels of performance I have ever seen. It's quite remarkable, in that sense."
"The SMT that they've improved has really helped open up boundaries for other applications that can use it."
"IBM Power Systems are secure and have fast processing."
"The solution does not require any maintenance."
 

Cons

"In future releases, there should be more support options for the latest processor."
"I would like to have support for performing a detailed analysis of the server from a mobile device."
"The support team must improve the speed of response."
"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."
"We use OpenManager a lot, and that can be a bit clunky at times. They can make that better."
"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."
"Dell PowerEdge XE Servers can improve by adapting HCI technology."
"IBM should be more flexible with marketing or offer marketing events themselves and invite the partners to attend. That might be far more productive."
"The lack of software vendors moving onto the platform, as opposed to fleeing the platform, is an issue."
"The price has room for improvement."
"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."
"I think IBM needs a little more work on managing the overall environment with eliminating Systems Director."
"Sometimes, the availability of additional services can be a challenge. Certain IBM software takes time to deliver to the client. It can be slow."
"The solution could improve the memory database for better integration with SAP HANA."
"Power Systems' price could always be lower."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"This solution is priced very reasonably."
"You always want slightly cheaper, but overall, they are quite comparable and quite neutral."
"If you want an SLA for parts and equipment then you need to purchase a support agreement."
"There are different types of licensing available, that works well for customers. The product is not very much to purchase."
"The pricing model is quite competitive."
"Dell has competitive pricing."
"IBM Power is more expensive than other rack-mount servers, and you have to have a license for everything, including cores and memory."
"It is designed for a large workload, as opposed to a small workload. For our circumstances, and even as an independent, I can't buy a Power system to experiment on. It can't happen. You cannot buy them."
"It's more about the value you get for the price. Considering its stability and performance, the pricing is good."
"Its price is too high."
"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."
"There is a yearly licensing cost, and it's an expensive solution."
"IBM Power Systems is very expensive."
"The price of IBM Power Systems is expensive and could improve."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
22%
Financial Services Firm
12%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Comms Service Provider
5%
Financial Services Firm
18%
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Dell PowerEdge XE Servers?
The resource management features are valuable.
What needs improvement with Dell PowerEdge XE Servers?
The support team must improve the speed of response. The product should be promoted more in the market.
What do you like most about IBM Power Systems?
IBM Power Systems provides very good performance and stability compared to other brands or processors.
What needs improvement with IBM Power Systems?
IBM should provide a platform where users can learn about the storage and security of IBM Power Systems.
What is your primary use case for IBM Power Systems?
In my company, we use the system for the data center and our IBM Cloud Pak System.
 

Also Known As

PowerEdge XE Servers
IBM OpenPOWER LC
 

Learn More

Video not available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Epsilon, ROZETTA CORP, JIGUANG, RACKSPACE, NEW BELGIUM BREWING
Cipher
Find out what your peers are saying about Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. IBM Power Systems and other solutions. Updated: January 2025.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.