IBM Power 11 Pricing Guide
IBM Power11 pricing is configuration-dependent. The new S1112 makes the entry conversation more nuanced, not simpler.
There is no single published price for an IBM Power11 system. IBM and its Business Partners quote Power11 based on the specific configuration a workload requires, not a fixed sticker price. This guide breaks down every variable that moves the number, so you can walk into a quote conversation prepared instead of guessing.
Why Power 11 pricing is configuration-dependent
Power11 is now sold across seven named models, not six. The S1112 introduces a much smaller compact entry platform than the rest of the family, and that changes the pricing discussion because buyers can now choose between a true entry Power11 box and the denser S1122 as their first scale-out step. A quote for a small IBM i shop consolidating one AS400-class workload can now look very different depending on whether the workload really fits S1112 constraints or actually belongs in S1122 territory.
Model selection
| Shortlist choice | Why it changes price | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| S1112 | Compact entry platform, optional rack or tower deployment, lower IBM i tier entry path, smaller memory and storage envelope | Choosing it only because the chassis is cheaper without validating IBM i growth headroom. |
| S1122 and S1124 | Higher processor, memory, and I/O ceilings move the hardware quote up but can reduce near-term upgrade pressure | Skipping them when S1112 looks cheaper on day one but will be undersized quickly. |
| L1122 and L1124 | Linux-focused positioning changes software stack and workload assumptions | Using them when the environment is really an IBM i or AIX project. |
| E1150 and E1180 | Enterprise capacity, resilience, and consolidation goals raise system and service spend significantly | Comparing them against scale-out boxes only on hardware price instead of consolidation outcome. |
See the Power 11 model guide for the fuller positioning breakdown.
Processor cores and activation
Processor configuration is one of the biggest price drivers, and the S1112 makes that unusually visible. Midland's published S1112 pages show a 4-core EJMT configuration in IBM i P05 and a 10-core EJSV configuration in P10. That means the processor choice changes not only performance profile but software tier and the entire commercial posture of the system. On larger Power11 models, core activation still matters greatly, but on S1112 the first processor decision often determines whether the project stays an entry IBM i refresh or becomes a mixed-workload compact platform.
Memory and storage
Memory and internal or external storage are still quoted separately from the base system. On S1112, the platform ceiling of 512 GB and 4 internal NVMe U.2 bays keeps the box disciplined and compact, but it also means storage architecture becomes a more deliberate sizing choice. Buyers need to decide early whether they want a tight internal all-flash design, SAN attachment, or an adapter-plus-expansion strategy using the ENZ0 drawer.
IBM i, AIX, and Linux considerations
Operating system licensing remains separate from hardware, and the S1112 puts software tier in the spotlight. If the goal is an IBM i P05 refresh, the EJMT path changes the conversation immediately. If the box needs to run broader Linux, AIX, or VIOS workloads beside IBM i, then the EJSV build or a step up to S1122 may be more honest. Confirm OS version compatibility before finalizing the system design; see the IBM i migration guide for details.
Support and services
IBM's July 15, 2026 Power announcement also introduced a Premium Essentials Expert Care tier specifically for S1112. That matters because support level and migration services can materially change the final quote, especially when the system is landing in a lean IT environment where quick access to Power expertise is worth paying for.
HA/DR, backup, support, and migration services
High availability and disaster recovery architecture, backup software, IBM support contracts, and migration services are commonly quoted alongside the hardware itself. Skipping this step during initial budgeting is one of the most common causes of quote surprises later in the process.
This page does not publish fixed prices because none exist publicly. The most common S1112 pricing mistake is treating EJMT versus EJSV as only a hardware choice when it also changes software tier and workload intent.