Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers comparison

Dell Technologies and Lenovo are both solutions in the Rack Servers category. Dell Technologies is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5, while Lenovo is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.4. Dell Technologies holds a 1.1% mindshare in Rack Servers, compared to Lenovo’s 15.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Dell Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Lenovo users who would recommend it.

Dell PowerEdge XE Servers

Read 10 Dell PowerEdge XE Servers reviews

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384 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Ser...

Read 27 Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers reviews

7,568 Views
6,322 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Dell PowerEdge XE Servers

Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Ser...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers and Dell PowerEdge XE Servers compete in the server market. Lenovo seems to have the upper hand with more favorable pricing and ease of deployment.

Features: Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers are known for robust build, reliable architecture, and strong performance. Dell PowerEdge XE Servers are recognized for advanced technologies, flexible configurations, and enhanced feature sets for data-intensive applications.

Room for Improvement: Lenovo ThinkSystem users suggest improvements in system management tools, firmware updates, and software optimization. Dell PowerEdge XE users point out the need for improved documentation, better integration, and broader compatibility with third-party hardware.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Lenovo ThinkSystem offers straightforward deployment with dependable customer service, making implementation and management easier. Dell PowerEdge XE involves a more complex setup but provides responsive and knowledgeable support.

Pricing and ROI: Lenovo ThinkSystem presents lower setup costs, making them more accessible for businesses with budget constraints. Dell PowerEdge XE, although pricier, delivers a compelling ROI with its superior feature set and efficiency, justifying the initial investment for many users.

To learn more, read our detailed Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

April 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

7.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Ser...

Ranking in Rack Servers

3rd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Rack Servers category, the mindshare of Dell PowerEdge XE Servers is 1.1%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is 15.9%, down from 16.8% 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.

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Adalberto Giaretta

Technology director at Infodive Representações e Serviços ltda

Reliable with an easy setup and good support

These are rack servers. We use them for applications. It stores everything including VM servers, application servers, Windows, et cetera The reliability is great. The solution is like any other commodity like Dell or HPE. These are all very similar. Setting up the solution is easy. It is stable.…

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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."

"Its reliability and consistency are most valuable."

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

"The solution is flexible in my experience."

"The resource management features are valuable."

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

"The most valuable feature of these servers is the ability to store a lot—the capacity and the number of hard disk drives."

"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."

More Dell PowerEdge XE Servers pros

"The most valuable aspect of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is the brand name and the service relationship we have with Lenovo."

"The initial setup is easy."

"I like everything about this solution. It is a very good server, with excellent availability. The size of the power is adequate and the low heating is beneficial."

"Ensures high availability, better hardware management, and support for active features."

"One of the main advantages of this tool is its ease of use, as it is a GUI-based tool needing a simple and easy configuration...It is a stable solution."

"The hardware performance is very valuable."

"The initial setup of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is straightforward. The process of implementation took me approximately two to three days. We only had to install the hardware for the installation."

"They have taken a lot of technology from IBM, and IBM always delivered very powerful hardware to the IT industry compared to Dell EMC or anyone else."

More Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers pros

Cons

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

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

"Dell PowerEdge XE Servers can improve by adapting HCI technology."

"Upgrading can be a bit difficult."

More Dell PowerEdge XE Servers cons

"The performance of the solution could be better."

"From our side, our budgets are really not there. The availability of cash is a little bit limited. We buy as much as we can, If it was less expensive, we could buy more."

"It is quite an expensive product. Its price can be improved."

"I have a few notification alerts about PCI cards but it's rare."

"Improvements could be made in the network cards, particularly by offering options for higher-speed cards beyond the current 10 GB."

"For the price my company pays for Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers, we can have more from other vendors offering the same functionalities that are present in Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers at a lower price."

"The RAID Management and the RAID Configuration tools need to be improved."

"Its price could be better. Its price is sometimes an issue for our clients. XClarity Controller is a very good feature, and Lenovo should include the XClarity Controller license without any additional cost. It should be integrated within the product."

More Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"This solution is priced very reasonably."

"The pricing model is quite competitive."

"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."

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

"Dell has competitive pricing."

"It is too expensive. Because we are a university and we have to look for our money, many times we buy some refurbished machines or equipment at reasonable prices from IBM or Lenovo. We are a little bit limited in terms of money, and we buy as much as we can. If they were cheaper, we would buy more."

"Its pricing is very competitive."

"As the costs got high, we had to use the virtualization feature to consolidate the server farm."

"Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers are cheaper than HPE...It is a good product that offers value for money."

"The licensing cost is the same as HP. It doesn't have any additional cost. However, the price, for example, for the memory option, does not match other vendors such as HP or Dell. They should work on the pricing of Lenovo. It is a great competitor, and it should compete with the price."

"Other than the standard licensing fees there are no other additional costs. The price of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers could be better, and the availability of the solution could improve. We have been waiting two months for one server."

"The cost of the solution depends entirely on the client. There are not any additional costs other than the standard licensing fee."

"The price of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is competitive."

More Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

21%

Financial Services Firm

13%

University

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

16%

University

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

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

How do Lenovo ThinkSystem rack servers compare with HPE ProLiant DL servers?

Lenovo ThinkSystem rack servers offer flexibility and efficiency in order to meet mission-critical demands. I like that Lenovo blends outstanding performance, reliability, and manageability. The bi...

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When shopping for a rack server, would you go with Dell EMC Poweredge or Lenovo Thinksystem?

Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether the Dell EMC Poweredge or Lenovo Thinksystem rack servers were the better fit for us. We ultimately decided to go with Dell EMC Poweredge....

See all answers

What do you like most about Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers?

The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is the easiest product to set up and maintain.

See all answers

Comparisons

HPE Apollo Systems vs Dell PowerEdge XE Servers

Compared 40% of the time

Dell XR2 Rugged Server vs Dell PowerEdge XE Servers

Compared 17% of the time

IBM Power Systems vs Dell PowerEdge XE Servers

Compared 9% of the time

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Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Compared 54% of the time

HPE ProLiant DL Servers vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Compared 34% of the time

IBM Power Systems vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Compared 3% of the time

Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Compared 3% of the time

Oracle SPARC Servers vs Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Compared 1% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Rack Servers

May 2025

Download Dell PowerEdge XE Servers product report

Buyer's Guide

Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

May 2025

Download Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers product report

Also Known As

PowerEdge XE Servers

SR Series, Lenovo SR Series, ThinkSystem Rack Servers, IBM Rack Servers, ThinkSystem SR Series, Lenovo Rack Servers,

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

From growing small businesses to enterprise workloads, Lenovo rack servers offer the unmatched value, flexibility and industry-leading efficiency to meet mission-critical demands with legendary quality and reliability.

Lenovo

Sample Customers

Epsilon, ROZETTA CORP, JIGUANG, RACKSPACE, NEW BELGIUM BREWING

immixGroup, Komsomolskaya Pravda, SRG Global, Seekr, Infiniti Red Bull Racing, jKool, Tennis Australia, VEKA, Netpoints, Gamma Powersports

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

April 2025

Free Report: Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers

Find out what your peers are saying about Dell PowerEdge XE Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.

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