Power 9
IBM's Power generation before Power 10, still common in AS/400 and IBM i environments that are now comparing Power 11 refresh options.
Power 9 is two generations behind Power 11. For Power 12 planning, it matters because many real upgrade conversations are not Power 11 versus Power 12 in the abstract. They are Power 9 shops deciding whether to refresh to a current Power 11 model now or reserve budget for whatever IBM announces next.
Related Terms
Power 10
IBM's prior-generation Power processor family (S1014, S1022, S1022s, S1024, E1050, E1080), launched in 2021, two generations behind the expected Power 12.
Power 11
IBM's current, shipping Power processor and server generation, first announced July 2025 and expanded with the entry S1112 in July 2026.
Power 12
The unofficial, widely used placeholder name for IBM's Power processor and server generation expected after Power 11. IBM has not confirmed this name, a release date, or any specifications.