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

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers and Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Rack Servers solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The solution is stable.""Its hardware is really reliable. We also like Cisco for its support.""What I really like about the Cisco USC Server is its service profile.""It is very nice and stable with an easy administration GUI.""The most valuable feature of Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers is server management.""It is very stable and easy to use. It integrates easily with Cisco's cloud-based UC solutions. There are tools for management that make the management a bit easier, but we don't use them. We don't use what you would term as power users.""In terms of the features that I have found most valuable, that is basically the hardware, which is more dynamic.""The most valuable features of Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers are integration and customization."

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"The most valuable aspect of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is the brand name and the service relationship we have with Lenovo.""The hardware performance is very valuable.""Its performance and the local support of Lenovo in my city are the most valuable features. Its performance is the best, and its user interface is also very easy.""Easy integration with UPS systems provides added convenience and efficiency for our operations.""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 solution is very simple to install.""I would say the stability of the system itself would be the biggest advantage.""The product scales well."

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Cons
"Cisco UCS C-Series Rack could improve by selling storage. Cisco doesn't sell storage, which is a problem because some customers ask for storage. There are several brands in the market, such as HPE, and Dell EMC. However, Cisco doesn't have any storage. This is where the tension comes from buying this solution.""In the version we need to use, the manager is still reliant on a full Java install on a Windows OS. This is inconvenient and problematic if you have multiple management tools on different versions of Java or if you move to a machine without the appropriate Java environment.""The warranty and support periods should be extended.""Definitely the support area needs improving. Especially the time response in case of hardware failure.""The only thing I would change is to provide more proactive support.""The solution needs more capacity and more scalability.""Technical support could be more responsive.""On the contact center and video conferencing, I would definitely like to see more AI features. The AI features are key for us. You will find a lot of them in the cloud-based solution, but in the on-premises solution, they're hardly there. I would like to see the same AI features that are there in the cloud-based Cisco UC."

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"The performance of the solution could be better.""Throughout the use of the product, special needs will arise which may require a global need.""The RAID Management and the RAID Configuration tools need to be improved.""To be frank, the technical support from Lenovo's team needs improvement. There seems to be a lack of support, and it is important for Lenovo to address this issue.""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.""Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers could improve the availability of their solution. The supply chain is severely broken, we've had to wait many months for component parts to a system time after time. The availability of discs and raid controllers has been difficult lately.""I do not have any notes for improvements.""HP has a riser inside, but Lenovo does not have a riser. It would be good to have a riser with Lenovo. The GUI of the system is really bad. HP has a very good UI for smart memories and everything inside, but in Lenovo, we have a black-and-white UI. HP right now manufactures a server with scalable SP1 and SP2 on a single machine, which is not the case with Lenovo. They are changing the machine. For SP 1, there is one server, and for SP2, there is another server, which is really bad. In HP, we can use two models of processors in a single case. Lenovo should also be improved to have SP1 and SP2 scalable processors simultaneously on a single machine. They should not release another machine. This issue is also there in H3650 severs. They are all inside, but only V3 CPU or only v4 CPU can work, whereas, in HBG9, we can deploy V3 and V4 simultaneously. Lenovo also needs to advertise more because I can't see advertisements anywhere."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "If they plan to expand their infrastructure in periods, then simply Cisco is not a good choice."
  • "​Best to buy all the blades configured for the same purposes of load balancing and failover or load shifting.​"
  • "Cisco is expensive, but we didn't look at the cost of the product. We were looking at reliability and support."
  • "This product is slightly more expensive when compared to others."
  • "This product is quite expensive and it would be better if it were cheaper."
  • "This solution is a little expensive."
  • "The solution could be more cost-effective."
  • "Licensing fees are paid on a yearly basis, which is only $2,000 or $3,000."
  • More Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "As the costs got high, we had to use the virtualization feature to consolidate the server farm.​"
  • "It is the cheapest solution we have seen on the market."
  • "Your budget determines the scalability."
  • "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."
  • "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."
  • "It costs around $8,000. There is an additional cost for the support for a year."
  • "Its pricing is very competitive."
  • "The price of the solution is very expensive when compared to other solution like HP or Dell."
  • More Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer: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… more »
    Top Answer: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… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is the easiest product to set up and maintain.
    Ranking
    5th
    out of 22 in Rack Servers
    Views
    5,284
    Comparisons
    2,946
    Reviews
    13
    Average Words per Review
    332
    Rating
    8.4
    3rd
    out of 22 in Rack Servers
    Views
    10,974
    Comparisons
    9,143
    Reviews
    12
    Average Words per Review
    422
    Rating
    8.5
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Unified Computing System C-Series, Cisco UCS C-Series
    SR Series, Lenovo SR Series, ThinkSystem Rack Servers, IBM Rack Servers, ThinkSystem SR Series, Lenovo Rack Servers,
    Learn More
    Cisco
    Video Not Available
    Overview

    UCS C-Series Rack Servers deliver unified computing in an industry-standard form factor to reduce TCO and increase agility. Each server addresses varying workload challenges through a balance of processing, memory, I/O, and internal storage resources.

    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.

    Sample Customers
    Advanced Medical Transport, Aegean Motorway, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Artoni Transporti, BH Telecom, Bowling Green State University, City of Mississauga, Dualtec Cloud Builders, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS), Kind en Gezin, Kuwait Petroleum Italia, Nationwide, Quest, Talbots, University of St. Gallen
    immixGroup, Komsomolskaya Pravda, SRG Global, Seekr, Infiniti Red Bull Racing, jKool, Tennis Australia, VEKA, Netpoints, Gamma Powersports
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm19%
    Comms Service Provider19%
    Computer Software Company13%
    Individual & Family Service6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company24%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Financial Services Firm7%
    University6%
    REVIEWERS
    Educational Organization21%
    Financial Services Firm11%
    Government11%
    Energy/Utilities Company5%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Financial Services Firm7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business36%
    Midsize Enterprise21%
    Large Enterprise43%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business25%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise60%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business60%
    Midsize Enterprise10%
    Large Enterprise30%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business31%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise52%
    Buyer's Guide
    Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers is ranked 5th in Rack Servers with 29 reviews while Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is ranked 3rd in Rack Servers with 27 reviews. Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers is rated 8.4, while Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers writes "The VIC card is the most important feature". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers writes "Reliable with an easy setup and good support". Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers is most compared with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, HPE ProLiant DL Servers, Dell XR2 Rugged Server, HPE Apollo and HPE Synergy, whereas Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers is most compared with Dell PowerEdge Rack Servers, HPE ProLiant DL Servers, IBM Power Systems, Dell PowerEdge FX and Dell PowerEdge XE Servers. See our Cisco UCS C-Series Rack Servers vs. Lenovo ThinkSystem Rack Servers report.

    See our list of best Rack Servers vendors.

    We monitor all Rack Servers reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.