Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs IBM Power Systems comparison

Dell Technologies and IBM are both solutions in the Rack Servers category. Dell Technologies is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5, while IBM is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.9. Dell Technologies holds a 1.1% mindshare in Rack Servers, compared to IBM’s 9.0% 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 Servers

Read 11 Dell PowerEdge XE Servers reviews

655 Views
655 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Power Systems

Read 71 IBM Power Systems reviews

3,981 Views
3,981 Comparison Views

97% willing to recommend

Dell PowerEdge XE Servers

IBM Power Systems

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

IBM Power Systems and Dell PowerEdge XE Servers are competitors in the server industry, with each offering unique benefits. IBM Power Systems stand out for their performance and reliability, while Dell PowerEdge XE Servers are favored for innovative features.

Features: IBM Power Systems are known for scalability, robust architecture, and processing power, making them suitable for data-intensive applications. These systems are valued for their reliability and ability to handle complex tasks. Dell PowerEdge XE Servers focus on flexibility and performance with diverse configuration options, catering to various workloads and innovative technological advancements.

Room for Improvement: IBM Power Systems need better integration capabilities, more efficient software updates, and improved compatibility upgrades. Dell PowerEdge XE Servers could enhance thermal management, reduce power consumption, and improve overall hardware efficiency.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: IBM Power Systems offer straightforward deployment with comprehensive customer service, ensuring a seamless experience. Dell PowerEdge XE Servers involve a more complex setup, but responsive customer support provides guidance throughout the deployment, balancing complexity with active engagement.

Pricing and ROI: IBM Power Systems are priced higher initially, offering long-term ROI through durability and performance. Dell PowerEdge XE Servers present a more competitive price, generating ROI through flexibility and innovation. Cost-conscious buyers might consider Dell, while those seeking long-term value may prefer IBM.

To learn more, read our detailed Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. IBM Power Systems Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. IBM Power Systems

July 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 Servers

Ranking in Rack Servers

10th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IBM Power Systems

Ranking in Rack Servers

4th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

3.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Rack Servers category, the mindshare of Dell PowerEdge XE Servers is 1.1%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Power Systems is 9.0%, up from 8.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Rack Servers

Featured Reviews

Muzammil Nasim

Software Architect at a manufacturing company with 501-1,000 employees

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

Rohintan-Karanjia

Advisory Services at Nangia Andersen LLP

Offers security features, including HIPs, Postgres, intrusion prevention systems, and AI for specific tasks

We've found that sometimes, certain setups require better servers. Ideally, the next level of model that IBM offers would be perfect for those situations. Sometimes, the availability of additional services can be a challenge for some software. Certain IBM software takes time to deliver to the client. It can be slow. So deployment is an area for improvement.

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

"One of the most valuable features of Dell PowerEdge XE Servers is the ease of fixing issues if there are any."

"The resource management features are valuable."

"The solution is flexible in my experience."

"Its reliability and consistency are most valuable."

"In general, it works well. We haven't had issues."

"The most valuable feature is the trusted platform module."

"The strong point of this solution is its compatibility with VMware and its resilience."

"The most valuable feature is that it can support up to 32 drives of internal storage."

More Dell PowerEdge XE Servers pros

"Power Systems' best features are that it's reliable, stable, and easily available. It's also really scalable and can be virtualized without third-party software support."

"PowerVM."

"The most valuable feature of our machines is their ability to replace faulty parts without causing any downtime."

"What we like the most is the ability to upgrade the scaling of the system itself. Whenever we need extra storage, we can do that. Whenever we need extra memory, we can do that as well. It's fast and it's available."

"The best features of the solution are its robustness and service level."

"From a software developer standpoint, virtualization is really the key, as we can more easily spin up a new partition, virtual instance of IBM i."

"The solution does not require any maintenance."

"BM Power Systems get updated every two years and are scalable and stable."

More IBM Power Systems pros

Cons

"I would like to have support for performing a detailed analysis of the server from a mobile device."

"Upgrading can be a bit difficult."

"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."

"In future releases, there should be more support options for the latest processor."

"The quality and reliability could be improved."

"We use OpenManager a lot, and that can be a bit clunky at times. They can make that better."

"The support team must improve the speed of response."

More Dell PowerEdge XE Servers cons

"The solution could improve the memory database for better integration with SAP HANA."

"We have a problem with the storage software. The media to restore data is also not found."

"I would like to see IBM Power Systems integrate with all cloud types."

"One of the main challenges with IBM Power Systems is the functionality of live partnership mobility."

"The pricing of the product could always be lowered."

"Better manage heterogeneous footprints of all the different operating systems that are out there across one common interface."

"IBM should provide a platform where users can learn about the storage and security of IBM Power Systems."

"The solution is quite expensive."

More IBM Power Systems cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"If you want an SLA for parts and equipment then you need to purchase a support agreement."

"You always want slightly cheaper, but overall, they are quite comparable and quite neutral."

"This solution is priced very reasonably."

"The pricing model is quite competitive."

"There are different types of licensing available, that works well for customers. The product is not very much to purchase."

"Dell has competitive pricing."

"Its price depends on the sizing."

"The pricing of the solution is very good because we can beat any other competitor with the pricing. Lately, they have offered good pricing for their customer."

"Power Systems is very cheap and provides good value for money."

"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."

"IBM Power is more expensive than other rack-mount servers, and you have to have a license for everything, including cores and memory."

"Price-wise, I rate the solution a five out of ten."

"IBM Power Systems is very expensive."

"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

15%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Financial Services Firm

15%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Government

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.

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?

The support team must improve the speed of response. The product should be promoted more in the market.

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 16% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Rack Servers

August 2025

Download Dell PowerEdge XE Servers product report

Buyer's Guide

IBM Power Systems

August 2025

Download IBM Power Systems product report

Also Known As

PowerEdge XE Servers

IBM OpenPOWER LC

Overview

Our newest addition to the Dell EMC PowerEdge family, PowerEdge XE servers are purpose-built for complex, harsh and compute-intensive workloads.

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 Servers vs. IBM Power Systems

July 2025

Free Report: Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. IBM Power Systems

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