Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series Reviews

Name: Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series
Brand: Lenovo
Rating: 4.3 (13 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

13 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series?

The DE All-Flash Series delivers the performance of more than 2,000 15k rpm HDDs, yet requires only 2% of the rack space, power, and cooling. Because it consumes 98% less space and power, DE Series can significantly improve the overall efficiency of your IT operations while continuing to meet your performance requirements.

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Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series is the #23 ranked solution in best All-Flash Storage Arrays. PeerSpot users give Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series is most commonly compared to Dell PowerStore: Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series vs Dell PowerStore. Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 45% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 17% of all views.

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All-Flash Storage

April 2025

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Featured Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series reviews

Gastone Canali

IT Consultant at Effegibi

The solution is reliable in terms of performance They should include a snapshot feature for the solution. We have been using the solution for two to three years. The solution is stable. We have 60 solution users in our organization. The solution's initial setup process is easy. It takes three…

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Sameh Moamen

Infrastructure Manager at Arabian Cement Company

The demand in the market is for hyper-converged, all-in-one virtualization. It is not only for the operating system or hypervisors but also for networking and security. It is about optimum solutions. This is a solution that I recommend for those who need the basics that can be achieved with a rack mount server. I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

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Cengiz Çapok

Company Owner at UTCBim Bilgisayar Hizmetleri

The solution provides the best storage features for applications The solution's performance could be faster. We have been using the solution for ten years. It is a scalable solution. We have five customers using it. The solution's technical support is good. The solution's initial setup…

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Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series mindshare

As of April 2025, the mindshare of Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series in the All-Flash Storage category stands at 2.5%, down from 2.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

All-Flash Storage

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Mar 30, 2025

Valuable Features

Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series is valued for virtualization support, simplicity in use and management, ease of troubleshooting, dual controllers, performance, and cost-effectiveness. It's suitable for mid-range and large businesses with good CPU and RAM capabilities. Key features include block-level storage reliability, ease of configuration, available installation documentation, and multiple host bus adapter interfaces. Storage performs well with good price per gigabyte on SSD solutions and integrates effectively with other systems.

"I would rate the stability of Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series as a ten."
"Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series is highly reliable, especially for block-level storage. It is stable, with minimal downtime and no issues beyond user errors."
"The solution's initial setup process is easy."

Room for Improvement

Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series needs improved performance and faster part replacement, especially in locations like Kenya. Enhanced software support, including integration with Hyper-converged infrastructure and backup software, is desired. Users want easier tiering and advanced software integrations to rival competitors. Current limitations include inadequate scalability and insufficient storage and connection types. A snapshot feature and alert system for part orders similar to IBM are also suggested. DE Series is viewed as an elementary entry-level array.

"The type of connection that is used in Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series should be improved."
"The product could support advanced software integrations."
"There could be a snapshot feature in the solution."

ROI

Users found that Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series delivered exceptional performance and reliability, leading to significant cost savings. They highlighted enhanced data management capabilities which improved operational efficiency. Businesses experienced faster data processing speeds, contributing to increased productivity and lower maintenance costs. Enhanced data security features and scalability also allowed firms to manage growth effectively. Consequently, companies noted a marked improvement in their return on investment with Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series.

Pricing

Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series offers competitive pricing compared to HP and Dell EMC. Users indicate it is cost-effective, with many features bundled without additional licensing costs. A five-year support contract is typical, and while some features require extra licenses, the standard package suffices for most deployments. Prices are often all-inclusive or a one-time purchase. For those seeking premium features, additional licensing may be necessary. Generally, enterprise buyers find the pricing reasonable for the performance offered.

"For an all-flash setup, the cost is around $20,000 for a decent configuration."
"The solution's price could be better."
"It is an expensive solution."

Popular Use Cases

Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series is primarily used for hosting VMware Virtual Machines across various data centers. Many entities implement it as production storage for operating virtual environments. It supports block storage, VM workloads, and applications like Oracle SQL Server, often deployed on-premises. Users rely on it for archiving and virtualization in video surveillance and backup targets. It is also utilized for migrating and replacing outdated storage infrastructure in customer settings.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series receive positive feedback. Many users find technical support effective and responsive, although some note inconsistency in response times. IBM support collaboration is mentioned for more complex inquiries. Users in regions such as Poland and Greece appreciate the local presence. Despite a few remarks on needing further expertise, many express satisfaction with prompt and proficient assistance, with experiences rated highly by multiple organizations.

Deployment

Initial setup of Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series varies by environment design and project scale. It can be simple or complex. Deployment generally lasts from an hour to several days. Some find it straightforward, requiring minimal time and resources. Others mention needing several engineers over multiple days. Most agree it's easy, often described as plug and play. Challenges arise with configuration, like enabling multi-pathing. Timeframes mentioned range from 30 minutes to a week.

Scalability

Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series offers good scalability for small to medium-large businesses, with capacity scaling being a strong point. Users find it easy to expand, noting it works well in organizations with various user counts. While some mention limited performance scalability beyond block-level storage and issues when using VMware for hosts, many have not fully explored expansion options due to current needs. Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series receives high marks for its scalability potential.

Stability

Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series boasts exceptional stability. Most users find their systems consistently operational, with high availability even during repairs. Downtime is rare and major failures are uncommon. After using Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series for about a year, many report it maintains impressive reliability. Users frequently describe the ThinkSystem as highly stable, with storage arrays functioning consistently without issues. They consistently rate Lenovo ThinkSystem DE Series a ten for stability, highlighting its dependable performance.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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