How Much Does an AS400 Cost in 2026?
An AS400 can cost from a few thousand dollars for legacy refurbished hardware to hundreds of thousands for a configured enterprise IBM Power system. Use these ranges to set a budget before requesting a quote.
AS400 Cost in 2026: The Short Answer
An AS400 can cost about $2,500 for a legacy refurbished 9406 system, $9,000 to $35,000 for entry or refurbished IBM Power hardware, and $30,000 to $450,000 for larger Power 11 systems in this catalog. Hosted IBM i capacity is listed at $1,500 to $12,000 per month.
Those figures are planning ranges, not quotes. Processor activations, memory, storage, operating system licensing, warranty, maintenance, and migration work can change the final number substantially.
AS400 and IBM Power Hardware Price Ranges
The catalog puts different buying options on one scale so you can set a realistic budget before asking for a configuration-specific quote.
Published planning ranges in the AS400System.com hardware catalog
| Buying option | Catalog range | What the range covers |
|---|---|---|
| Refurbished AS400 9406 | $2,500 to $7,000 | Legacy hardware for compatibility, recovery, or replacement-part needs |
| IBM Power S1014 | $9,000 to $18,000 | Entry Power 10 server hardware before the full project |
| Refurbished Power 9 | $12,000 to $35,000 | Tested secondary-market server with seller warranty terms |
| IBM Power S1112 | $12,000 to $35,000 | Entry Power 11 server range |
| IBM Power S1122 | $30,000 to $95,000 | Scale-out Power 11 server range |
| IBM Power E1150 | $95,000 to $450,000 | Enterprise Power 11 configurations |
| Hosted IBM i environment | $1,500 to $12,000 monthly | Hosted capacity rather than an owned physical server |
Ranges come from the site's product catalog and are meant for early planning. The exact machine type, model, processor activations, memory, storage, warranty, and services decide the quote.
The Server Price Is Not the AS400 Project Price
A low server number can become an expensive project when the quote leaves out the pieces required to run, protect, and move the workload. A higher quote may already include those pieces. Compare the complete scope before comparing totals.
- Processor entitlements and permanent or temporary core activations
- Memory, internal drives, external storage, adapters, and cabling
- IBM i licensing, software maintenance, and application requirements
- Tape, virtual tape, replication, or other backup hardware
- Hardware warranty, annual maintenance, and replacement-part coverage
- Rack, power, cooling, network, installation, migration, and cutover work
New, Refurbished, or Hosted IBM i Hardware
The cheapest purchase is not automatically the lowest-risk choice. Match the buying option to how long the workload must run, how much downtime it can tolerate, and whether the business wants to own hardware.
How the main AS400 buying options differ
| Option | Usually fits | Confirm before deciding |
|---|---|---|
| New IBM Power | Long support runway and predictable growth | IBM i compatibility, processor group, capacity, and delivery schedule |
| Refurbished IBM Power | Lower capital cost with useful remaining life | Test report, firmware, parts warranty, and support eligibility |
| Legacy AS400 replacement | Compatibility, recovery, or short-term bridge work | Exact machine type, feature codes, media, and parts availability |
| Hosted IBM i | Monthly operating cost and less physical infrastructure | Capacity, backup, recovery, licensing, exit terms, and migration work |
What Changes an IBM Power Quote
Two servers with the same marketing name can carry very different prices because the useful configuration is inside the details. The quote should identify those details instead of giving you one unexplained package number.
- Machine type and model
- Processor generation, core count, and activated capacity
- Memory capacity and growth room
- Internal or external storage configuration
- IBM i or AIX release compatibility
- Hardware condition, warranty, maintenance, and support dates
- Migration, installation, testing, and cutover responsibilities
What to Send With an AS400 Price Request
Start with what you can verify. A machine type and model are more useful than saying the server is old or calling everything an AS400. Add the current operating system, processor use, memory, storage, backup method, and deadline when those details are available.
If you do not know the machine type, use the system identifier first. Then use the product directory to establish a planning range before requesting a recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still buy an AS400?
Yes. Buyers can find legacy AS400 hardware, refurbished IBM Power systems, current IBM Power servers, and hosted IBM i capacity. The right choice depends on compatibility, support needs, workload size, and how long the environment must remain in service.
Why do AS400 prices vary so much?
The name describes a large hardware lineage rather than one fixed server. Generation, machine type, processor activations, memory, storage, operating system support, warranty, and migration work all affect the price.
Is a refurbished IBM Power server always cheaper?
The purchase price is usually lower than a comparable new system, but the full comparison must include remaining support life, warranty, parts availability, energy use, and the migration work required.
Related Resources
Sources
Product catalog pages tied to this IBM Power and AS/400 Server topic.
42U Server Rack with Rail Kit for Power Systems
A full-depth 42U server rack with rail kit sized to support Power server weight and depth requirements.
IBM Power E1150 Enterprise Server
A Power 11 enterprise server for larger IBM i, AIX, and Linux on Power estates that need consolidation, memory headroom, and long support runway.
AS400 Hardware Maintenance Plan
A maintenance and support plan for AS/400, iSeries, and IBM Power hardware where parts access, response time, and lifecycle risk matter.