Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs HPE Apollo Systems comparison

Dell Technologies and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are both solutions in the Rack Servers category. Dell Technologies is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.0. Dell Technologies holds a 1.1% mindshare in Rack Servers, compared to Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s 3.8% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Dell Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users who would recommend it.

Dell PowerEdge XE-Series

Read 11 Dell PowerEdge XE-Series reviews

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655 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

HPE Apollo Systems

Read 23 HPE Apollo Systems reviews

2,148 Views
1,890 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Dell PowerEdge XE-Series

HPE Apollo Systems

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 26, 2025

HPE Apollo Systems and Dell PowerEdge XE-Series compete in the high-performance computing market. HPE Apollo has the upper hand in customization and energy efficiency, while Dell PowerEdge XE-Series impresses with flexibility and global support.

Features: HPE Apollo Systems offer high-density design, energy-efficient performance, and customizable configurations, making them suitable for specialized workloads. Dell PowerEdge XE-Series features powerful processing capabilities, extensive scalability, and strong integration with various platforms, catering to diverse enterprise needs.

Room for Improvement: HPE Apollo needs to enhance initial configuration ease, expand global support networks, and improve compatibility with multiple platforms. Dell PowerEdge XE-Series could benefit from further energy efficiency improvements, a broader range of customization options, and enhanced automation capabilities to streamline management processes.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: HPE Apollo Systems provide straightforward deployment with onsite support tailored to specific business needs but require more initial configuration. Dell PowerEdge XE-Series ensures a quick and streamlined deployment experience, backed by extensive global customer service for reduced downtime and better service consistency.

Pricing and ROI: HPE Apollo Systems often have a higher upfront cost but provide long-term energy savings and value for tailored deployments. Dell PowerEdge XE-Series is generally more cost-effective initially, offering quicker ROI through flexible deployment options and robust feature sets.

To learn more, read our detailed Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs. HPE Apollo Systems Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs. HPE Apollo 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-Series

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

HPE Apollo Systems

Ranking in Rack Servers

8th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

4.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Density Optimized Servers (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Rack Servers category, the mindshare of Dell PowerEdge XE-Series is 1.1%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Apollo Systems is 3.8%, down from 4.7% 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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Aruna Udawatte

Director -Digital Transformation at Convergence

An affordable and easy-to-implement solution, but its after-sales support and technical support should be improved

We use HPE Apollo for specific requirements of Linux servers HPE Apollo's pricing is low, and implementation is very easy compared to other products. HPE Apollo's after-sales support and technical support should be improved. The solution should provide fast delivery when it comes to replacing a…

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

"Its reliability and consistency are most valuable."

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

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

"The solution is flexible in my experience."

"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."

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

More Dell PowerEdge XE-Series pros

"The technical support from HPE has always been good in my experience."

"It enables us to implement software defined solutions very easily, because Apollo servers are certified for use with Linux systems"

"It's very reliable. I haven't had a single failure at all in the year and a half; not the slightest problem with it."

"HPE Apollo's pricing is low, and implementation is very easy compared to other products."

"We usually use three blades for two-rack units, and with enough storage, it's really a small system with a powerful CPU, powerful hard drives, powerful disks."

"We're going to buy another Apollo 6500. We may configure it with half the number of GPUs because that may be all we need. In a sense, we can see the Apollo 6500 being so powerful that we only need half the GPU capability that we have now."

"HPE Apollo's most valuable feature is the ability to expand our storage capacity."

"The solution is well documented in a data sheet."

More HPE Apollo Systems pros

Cons

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

"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."

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

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

"Upgrading can be a bit difficult."

"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."

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

"The quality and reliability could be improved."

More Dell PowerEdge XE-Series cons

"One drawback which I had: When I needed to expand storage on the Apollo, I had significant problems getting disks for it. It was a very long wait-time. So, if I were to give any advice in regards to improving this product, I would say make more of the 8TB disks available quicker."

"The technical support for HPE Apollo Systems could be improved."

"We would like to see SimpliVity on top of the Apollo."

"We have tried to used standardization using Ubuntu Linux and it's been hard. They had some difficulties getting the RAID configuration up and running because there are no drivers for it. It's not supported by HPE."

"I would want to see the flexibility of being able to run various network protocols including InfiniBand, Fibre Channel, as well as iSCSI, with iSCSI going up to 100 gigabytes per second -that would be outstanding."

"If there could be some training for our team, we would be better equipped to promote and support HPE Apollo."

"Lustre seems to be just a little bit unstable overall."

"What's coming out in Gen 10 is very strong in terms of additional security."

More HPE Apollo Systems cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"Dell has competitive pricing."

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

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

"This solution is priced very reasonably."

"The pricing model is quite competitive."

"There is an annual license required to use HPE Apollo."

"It is an expensive solution but it is worth the money. The standard licensing cost is for the GPU and the features that someone is using. There are additional charges but they depend on the solution."

"Compared to other products, HPE Apollo is not an expensive solution."

"The price of the solution is more expensive than Dell which is their main competitor. However, there are times we have managed to receive a comparable price."

"Obviously I would like to see the cost go down. That speaks for itself."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

13%

Computer Software Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

11%

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 needs improvement with HPE Apollo?

Additional features would be beneficial in the next release of HPE Apollo Systems.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for HPE Apollo?

We were working with HPE Apollo Systems for one of our projects for the company named VVDN. We were using HPE Apollo Systems, GPU systems and CPU systems. For GPU systems, the model was 6500, in wh...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering HPE Apollo?

Our company is a platinum partner with HPE, and we continue to deal with HPE. We sell many of their hardware products. Depending on the requirement or deal, we may sell HPE Converged System, hardwa...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 13% of the time

Dell PowerEdge R-Series vs Dell PowerEdge XE-Series

Compared 11% of the time

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Compared 39% of the time

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Compared 24% of the time

HPE Synergy vs HPE Apollo Systems

Compared 7% of the time

IBM Power Systems vs HPE Apollo Systems

Compared 7% of the time

HPE Moonshot vs HPE Apollo Systems

Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Rack Servers

August 2025

Download Dell PowerEdge XE-Series product report

Buyer's Guide

HPE Apollo Systems

August 2025

Download HPE Apollo Systems product report

Also Known As

PowerEdge XE Servers

HP Apollo Systems, HP ProLiant SL, HP Apollo

Overview

Dell PowerEdge XE-Series servers deliver extreme performance for demanding AI and high-performance workloads, supporting hyperscalers, AI leaders, and enterprises.

The Dell PowerEdge XE-Series is purpose-built for high-density computing, with capacity for up to 32 drives, and enhances data-intensive analytics. Its compatibility with VMware and trusted security integrations, such as CloudStrike and McAfee, make it highly scalable and secure. While excelling in big data and analytics, room for improvement includes enhanced processor support and pricing adjustments. It's versatile for businesses needing scalability with its focus on AI/ML and data warehousing.

What are the standout features of Dell PowerEdge XE-Series?

High Storage Capacity: Supports up to 32 drives for data-intensive operations.
Compatibility: Seamless integration with VMware ensures stability and scalability.
Security Integration: Incorporates CloudStrike and McAfee for robust security measures.
Resource Management: Offers excellent documentation for troubleshooting and resource use.
Data Deduplication: Efficient with Data Domain to enhance data storage.

What benefits should users consider in their reviews?

Performance Efficiency: High-powered capabilities for AI and high-performance computing.
Ease of Management: Simplified issue resolution and maintainability.
Scalability: Supports growing workloads and offers strong integration.
Data Security: Enhanced with trusted platform module and security integrations.

In industries like data warehousing, AI, and enterprise applications, Dell PowerEdge XE-Series is implemented for high-performance computing, general-purpose servers, and software hosting. Serving transactional systems, email, ERP, and more, it assists companies in handling workload and storage demands, beneficial particularly for big data and analytics tasks.

Dell Technologies

The HPE Apollo high-density server family is built for the highest levels of performance and efficiency. They are rack-scale compute, storage, networking, power and cooling – massively scale-up and scale-out – solutions for your big data analytics, object storage and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads. From water-cooling that’s 1,000X more efficient than air, to “right-sized scaling” with 2X the compute density for workgroup and private cloud workloads, the HPE Apollo line is a dense, high-performance, tiered approach for organisations of all sizes.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Sample Customers

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

Weta Digital

Buyer's Guide

Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs. HPE Apollo Systems

July 2025

Free Report: Dell PowerEdge XE-Series vs. HPE Apollo Systems

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