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Exhibit 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF SAMUEL J. PALMISANO

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell, and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26^th day of February 2008.

/s/ Samuel J. Palmisano Samuel J. Palmisano
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer

1

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF MARK LOUGHRIDGE

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Mark Loughridge Mark Loughridge
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

2

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF TIMOTHY S. SHAUGHNESSY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Vice President and Controller of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Timothy S. Shaughnessy Timothy S. Shaughnessy
Vice President and Controller

3

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Cathleen Black Director

4

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ William R. Brody Director

5

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Kenneth I. Chenault Director

6

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Juergen Dormann Director

7

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Michael L. Eskew Director

8

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Shirley Ann Jackson Director

9

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Minoru Makihara Director

10

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Lucio A. Noto Director

11

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ James W. Owens Director

12

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Joan E. Spero Director

13

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Sidney Taurel Director

14

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned Director of International Business Machines Corporation, a New York corporation, which will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., under the provisions of the securities laws, an Annual Report for 2007 on Form 10-K, hereby constitutes and appoints Samuel J. Palmisano, Mark Loughridge, Robert C. Weber, Timothy S. Shaughnessy, Jesse J. Greene, Jr., Daniel E. O'Donnell and Andrew Bonzani as true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents for the undersigned director, and each of them with full power to act without the others, for such director and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign said 10-K Annual Report and any and all amendments thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 26th day of February 2008.

/s/ Lorenzo H. Zambrano Director

15

QuickLinks

Exhibit 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY OF SAMUEL J. PALMISANO
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF MARK LOUGHRIDGE
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF TIMOTHY S. SHAUGHNESSY
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR
POWER OF ATTORNEY OF IBM DIRECTOR