The useful IBM Power model is the one that supports your operating-system release, measured workload, storage and I/O, partition plan, recovery design, and expected ownership period. Compare generations first. Then match the model and machine type before anyone builds a configuration or quotes a price.
Choose the generation by the job it must do
| Generation | Where it may fit | Main tradeoff | Confirm before buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power 11 | A current production refresh that needs the longest practical runway and room for growth | Higher acquisition cost and a configuration that still needs workload proof | IBM i or AIX release, machine type, software tier, capacity, I/O, backup, and migration scope |
| Power 10 | A production or consolidation project where a recent generation meets the required release and budget | Shorter runway than Power 11 and possible limits from the specific configuration | Support terms, firmware, release mapping, processor activation, memory, storage, and migration timing |
| Refurbished Power 9 | A bridge, spare, test system, or constrained project with known software requirements | Older support position, parts risk, and a sooner repeat refresh | Serial history, operating-system compatibility, maintenance, feature codes, and expected end date |
| Earlier Power or legacy AS400 | A controlled short-term continuity need when replacement cannot happen immediately | The cheapest purchase can create the most support and migration risk | Parts, service, media, release support, recovery target, and an approved replacement date |
Power 11 model and machine-type map
These identities follow Midland Information Systems' curated Power 11 catalog checked on October 11, 2026. The machine type identifies the hardware family. Processor features, activations, memory, storage, adapters, and software licensing still decide the actual configuration.
| Model | Machine type | Buyer context | Important limit to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1112 rack | 9242-21B | Compact entry IBM i, AIX, or Linux planning | Processor feature, memory ceiling, internal storage, and software tier |
| S1112 tower | 9242-21T | Tower option for a smaller environment | Tower-specific features and performance must not be inferred from the rack |
| S1122 | 9824-22A | Scale-out IBM i, AIX, or Linux configurations | Processor-feature restrictions and IBM i partition context vary by configuration |
| S1124 | 9824-42A | Larger scale-out capacity and expansion | Processor, memory, I/O drawer, and software details need configuration confirmation |
| L1122 | 9856-22H | Linux-focused configuration with specific IBM i restrictions | Do not apply S1122 workload or licensing assumptions |
| L1124 | 9856-42H | Linux-focused capacity with specific licensed-core rules | Confirm the allowed IBM i or AIX use before treating it as an S1124 equivalent |
| E1150 | 9043-MRU | Enterprise AIX and Linux capacity | Midland's model record excludes IBM i on this model |
| E1180 | 9080-HEU | Enterprise-scale IBM i, AIX, or Linux estates | Node count, processor feature, core count, memory, storage, and software scope |
Open the Power 11 model directory for model-level details. Use the Power 10 model guide when a recent prior generation may fit the budget and release requirement.
Do not buy a model name
Two systems with the same model label can carry different processor features, active cores, memory, NVMe storage, adapters, tape support, software entitlements, and maintenance. A useful quote identifies the exact configuration and explains why it fits the workload.
- Current machine type, IBM i or AIX release, firmware, and partitions
- Peak processor, memory, disk, network, and batch demand from a representative business cycle
- Processor feature codes, active cores, memory, storage, adapters, tape, and power requirements
- IBM i software tier, users, licensed programs, third-party dependencies, and transfer terms
- Backup, high availability, disaster recovery, cutover, rollback, and business acceptance
- New, refurbished, or used condition plus serial history, warranty, maintenance, and parts
Match the model decision to the project
A production refresh should protect support runway and recovery. A capacity expansion should prove which resource is constrained. A spare or test server should have a planned life and a clear maintenance assumption. Use the Power 11 versus Power 10 guide for the generation choice, the machine types and feature codes guide for configuration identity, and the pricing guide for the inputs a full quote needs.
Questions for the configuration review
- Which operating-system releases and licensed programs must this exact machine support?
- Which measured workload peak and growth assumption sized the processor and memory?
- What feature codes, activations, storage, adapters, tape, and power supplies are included?
- What is new, refurbished, or used, and what warranty and maintenance cover it?
- What migration, backup, recovery, acceptance, and rollback work is included?
- When would this configuration require another material upgrade?