Xerox VersaLink B600 Printer Review: Pros, Cons and Cost

Submitted by Nolan Fowler on Mon, 06/06/2022 - 07:06
Person next to Xerox VersaLink B600 on a tablet

There’s a printing solution for almost every situation you can think of. 

Some require an extensive evaluation while others know the exact machine they want right away. 

No matter your situation, all business circumstances necessitate a thorough and wide-ranging assessment to determine the optimal print solution for you. 

Without access to the right information, you might be coaxed into purchasing a machine that’s inadequate for your printing goals, which can be costly from a money and time standpoint. 

As a locally managed print vendor that sells Xerox products exclusively, we have both the industry knowledge and progressive mindset to give you an honest and all-encompassing review of their machines. 

This review will cover the Xerox VersaLink B600 printer, including its specifications, key features, configuration options and pros and cons to help you gauge whether it could be a fit for you. 

Xerox VersaLink B600 Basics    

Here are some general statistics and information to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:     

Print Speed: Up to 58 ppm (pages per minute)    

Recommended Average Monthly Print Volume: Up to 25,000 pages per month    

Duty Cycle: Up to 300,000 pages per month    

Processor Speed: 1.05 GHz (gigahertz)    

Print Memory: 2 GB standard    

Maximum Print Resolution: 1200 X 1200 dpi (dots per inch)    

First-Page-Out Time Printing: As fast as 6.3 seconds    

Cost: Starting at around $999 

For a look at the dimensions of the VersaLink B600 base model, see the picture below:   

VersaLink B600/B610 Smart, Compact Printers - Xerox

Xerox VersaLink B600 Key Features    

Now, let’s look at some of the key features that come with the VersaLink B600 printer:       

Touchscreen Interface and App Gallery        

The Xerox VersaLink B600 contains a customizable, five-inch tablet-like touchscreen that allows you a simple and effective way to complete printing tasks.        

You can tailor the user interface to your business’s goals by choosing from the numerous applications on Xerox’s App Gallery. A few examples include:    

  • QuickBooks Online, which links users directly to the QuickBooks service to scan, preview, edit and submit multiple receipts at once. You must have an existing QuickBooks Online account and access to a computer to use the application. The price for the app is $20 for 100 receipts, $69 for 500 receipts and $99 for 1000 receipts, and can be used on an unlimited number of Xerox devices. 

  • Connect for Microsoft 365 and Connect for Microsoft OneDrive, which gives you a cloud-storage solution to find, store and print digitized documents. Both applications use the same pricing metric: $10 per month, $99 a year and $208 for three years.   

  • XM Fax, which is a software-only Fax over IP solution that allows you to fax your documents securely through either the XM Fax cloud or on-premises solutions. The price for the app is $20 per device.      

The Xerox App Gallery contains several applications that can aid in office productivity. For more information on the different kinds of apps, read the following blogs:        

The touchscreen interface and app gallery are a part of Xerox’s ConnectKey technology, which, among other things, gives you the ability to convert hard-copy records into accessible cloud-based documents and allows you to control your printer from your smartphone.       

Printer Security        

The VersaLink B600 contains a four-point approach to security that’ll help prevent, detect and protect against cyberattacks at all points of vulnerability.       

According to Xerox’s website, these include:        

  • Network intrusion and data transmission    

  • Protection from unauthorized access    

  • Stringent data encryption     

  • Added security to individual documents       

Some of the security measures involve a comprehensive Firmware Verification test upon printer activation, and further security enhancements by Xerox’s external partnership with Cisco and their Identity Services Engine (ISE), which provides dynamic detection and classification of network endpoints.       

In a technological world where cybercrime has become prevalent, it’s helpful to inform yourself of the security measures that companies are taking before making a purchasing decision. To learn more about printer security, read these blogs:    

Additional Configuration Options for Xerox VersaLink B600   

Let’s take a look at the different configuration options that will allow you to customize and upgrade your machine in ways that best optimize your business needs:       

Standard Printer Accessories: 

  • A 500-sheet output tray with a full tray sensor.  

  • The internal Card Reader Bay/Internal Card Reader Compartment.  

  • The 150-sheet Bypass Tray. 

  • A 550-sheet paper tray. 

Optional Printer Accessories:      

  • The 100-sheet Single-pass Duplex Automatic Document Feeder, which scans two-sided originals, for scan, copy and fax jobs. 

  • A 2,000-sheet High-Capacity Document Feeder (includes caster base)   

  • Up to four 550-sheet paper trays.    

  • Finisher option, which collates and staples sets of up to 50 sheets and includes a 500-sheet output tray.   

  • A four-bin mailbox that can handle up to 100 sheets in each tray.  

  • Stand/Cabinet (includes stabilizers)       

Depending on the accessories you choose, the weight and dimensions of the printer will vary, and you should always consult your print provider to make sure the additional upgrades you want to include are worth the investment.   

Here’s a look at what the VersaLink B600 could look like with additional upgrades: 

2 Pros of the Xerox VersaLink B600         

To get a better feel for the advantages of purchasing the VersaLink B600, let’s look at some of the main pros associated with the machine:      

  1.  Large Printing Capacity      

With a recommended average monthly print volume of up to 30,000 pages and a duty cycle of up to 300,000 pages per month, the VersaLink B600 is built to handle a sizable printing capacity for small-to-medium-sized workgroups.    

It should be noted that while the machine can print up to 300,000 pages per month, it’s highly advised to follow the machine’s monthly print volume, rather than its duty cycle, to ensure that it will have a long product lifespan.    

To learn more about print volume and duty cycle, read these blogs:        

  1. Permanent Printing Solution     

In addition to its capability of printing at a high volume, the VersaLink B600 is also built to act as a permanent printing solution for your workplace   

As a general rule, investing in a long-term printing solution will cost you more in the short term but save you more in the long run.   

This is because the supplies and upkeep for cheaper retail options can be expensive and difficult to find. Most cheap printing options are built as short-term replacements and are not ideal for workplaces that have a large print volume. 

2 Cons of the Xerox VersaLink B600       

Now that we’ve covered some of the positives regarding the VersaLink B600, let’s go over some of the negatives that you need to consider before making a purchasing decision:      

  1. No Color Printing Capability   

The main downside to the VersaLink B600 is it cannot print in color. If this is a requirement for you, then you would want to look into a color multifunction printer, such as the VersaLink C605.     

Read our review blog about the VersaLink C605 for a more in-depth look at the model.     

  1. Single-Function Solution Only    

Another notable downside to the VersaLink B600 is that it’s a single-function machine, which means it can only print. 

If you require a black-and-white printer with multifunction capabilities, you will want to look into the VersaLink B605, which retains many of the same abilities as the B600 model but also has the ability to copy, scan and fax, as well as print.  

For more information on multifunction printers, read these blogs:    

Xerox VersaLink B600 Cost    

As listed previously, the base cost of the VersaLink B600 is around $999. This doesn’t include optional upgrades or maintenance plans that you may want to include upon purchase of your machine.    

Another thing to keep in mind is you will need to buy a separate Wireless Connectivity Kit to set up WIFI for the VersaLink B600 model. You can purchase the WIFI accessory for around $50.      

While being a relatively affordable option compared to other multifunction printers, such as the AltaLink B8000 series, the VersaLink B600 is built as a long-term printing solution, which means it is not an inexpensive option. 

Some vendors may offer trade-ins and there’s also the option to lease your printer, rather than purchase it outright. Leasing a printer breaks down its total cost into more affordable, monthly payments. For more information on consumer purchasing options, read these blogs:        

Who Is the Xerox VersaLink B600 a Good Fit for?         

The VersLink B600 would be a good fit for:         

  • Small-to-medium-sized businesses that need a black-and-white printer with a large monthly print volume.    

  • Those looking to purchase an efficient printer with advanced technological features, such as a touchscreen and App Gallery.  

  • Those looking to make a long-term printing investment for their workplace.    

If you fall into one of these categories, then you would be a candidate for the VersaLink B600. However, you would want to extensively evaluate your specific printing goals with a business consultant before purchasing.       

Who Is the Xerox VersaLink B600 Not a Good Fit for?        

The VersaLink B600 would not be a good fit for:      

  • Businesses that require an all-in-one, multifunction option that can print, copy, scan and fax.   

  • Those who require color printing capabilities.   

  • Businesses that need a machine to handle a large print volume (over 20,000 pages per month) 

If you fall into one of these categories, then this is not the model for you. Read our blog on how to choose a printer for your budget and business needs to help with choosing the right model for you.        

Think the Xerox VersaLink B600 Is Right for You?   

The VersaLink B600 can adequately meet the needs of small-to-medium-sized workgroups that need a black-and-white printer to act as their office’s permanent printing solution. 

However, workgroups with a robust print volume that need a multifunction device or the ability to print in color would need to look elsewhere. 

Finding the right machine is largely based on determinative factors such as the volume with which you print and the need for certain accessories. 

An appropriate evaluation takes time and expertise. We have both the time to evaluate your situation and the experience necessary to guide you to the print solution that best fits the needs of your workplace. 

If you’re interested in the VersaLink B600 or want to discuss your current print environment, reach out to us and we will find the solution for you.