No matter where your work—in an office, remote or in a hybrid role—you will likely need to print documents at some point.
For most of us, it’s a commonality we all share in our careers: We need access to a printer to execute our basic document processes.
But which printer do you get? Does it matter what brand or model you buy?
Even for home offices or personal printing, buying the right printer is crucial to avoiding service issues, having to undergo constant supply changes or having to replace your printer with another one if you realize that the previous one just isn’t living up to expectations.
As a printer/copier company for almost 40 years, we’ve made it our primary goal to help consumers better their printing situation—no matter what their solution ends up being.
Take today’s model review, the Xerox B310, for example. The Xerox B310 costs around $420, which is not a heavy price to pay for a modern-day printer.
Just because it’s relatively inexpensive, though, doesn’t mean you should forego your research and buy it right away.
The number one thing you can do before buying a printer is to educate yourself on the essential things you need to know about the machine. We will use our status as a Xerox Platinum Status Partner to do just that during this review, which will give you an honest and comprehensive look into the Xerox B310.
So, let’s get into it, starting with the Xerox B310’s basic specifications before getting into features, pros, cons, cost and a summary of who would and wouldn’t want to buy this machine.
Xerox B310 Basics
Here are some general statistics and information about the Xerox B310 to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:
Print Speed: Up to 42 pages per minute (ppm)
Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 80,000 pages
Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 6,000 pages
Print Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (dots per inch), 2400 image quality
First-Print-Out-Time: As fast as 5.2 seconds
Base Model Dimensions: 14.5” x 14.3” x 8.7”
Base Model Weight: 20.6 pounds
Cost: Starting at around $420
For a look at the base model of the Xerox B310, see the picture below, courtesy of Xerox:
Xerox B310 Key Features
Now that we’ve gone over the machine’s basic specifications, let’s look at some of the key features that come with the Xerox B310:
Mobile Printing
The Xerox B310 is built with Wi-Fi connectivity and contains applications that will allow you to print and scan from mobile devices, laptops, tablets, Chromebooks or desktops.
Some of the applications that you can use to print from your phone are Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, Mopria Scan and Wi-Fi Direct.
Read our blog on how to print from your phone to learn more about mobile printing and how to do it.
Access to Xerox Workflow Central
One of the Xerox B310’s defining features is its ability to access the Xerox Workflow Central platform, which can serve multiple purposes with the goal of streamlining workflows and document processes.
Some of Xerox Workflow Central’s features include (courtesy of Xerox):
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Convert your documents into other languages
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Change handwritten notes into shareable, editable documents
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Create audio files of your reports to listen to whenever desired
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Automatically redact content for confidentiality
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Convert scans into Microsoft Office formats
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Summarize long documents for quicker reading
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Access to combination workflows and file routing to cloud repositories
You can download the Xerox Workflow Central platform from the Xerox App Gallery and there is a free trial period you can opt into to try it out.
The cost of the app will depend on which subscription you choose, with the Starter package starting at $9.99 a month and the Advanced package starting at $11.99 a month.
See the image below for descriptions of what you get in each package:
Printer Security
The Xerox B310 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:
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Network intrusion and data transmission
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Protection from unauthorized access
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Stringent data encryption and secure overwrite.
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Added security to individual documents
Some of the Xerox B310’s security features include Confidential Print, Digitally Signed Firmware Updates, Login Restrictions and Protected USB Ports, among others.
In a study conducted by Quocirca this year, 68% of those surveyed reported a data loss as a result of unsecure printing practices, making printer security an increasing concern among buyers.
Don’t mistake the size of the Xerox B310 as a reason not to take security into consideration. Just because it’s a smaller machine doesn’t mean a security breach can’t occur. Read our blog on the four ways to prevent printer cyberattacks to educate yourself on the actions you can take to protect your data.
2 Pros of the Xerox B310
Next, let’s look at some of the pros of the Xerox B310:
1. Small and Reasonably Priced
The primary pro to buying the Xerox B310 is it’s a small printer that can serve as a desktop or home office solution for an affordable price.
Weighing around 20 pounds with dimensions of 14.5” x 14.3” x 8.7” the Xerox B310 will be able to fit in compact spaces and won’t take up much room in your workplace.
The Xerox B310 is also a relatively cheap printer (around $420), meaning it’s a financially accessible option for those who are looking for a basic, high-volume, printer on a budget for their workspace.
2. Permanent Solution for Small Workgroups
In addition to being an inexpensive and mobile option, the Xerox B310 is also built to act as a permanent printing solution for small or home offices.
You can expect the machine to last for a long time if you follow the recommended monthly print volume of 6,000 pages. That last point is crucial, as consistently overusing the machine past its recommended volume could result in more service issues and a shorter product lifespan.
Read our blog about understanding your machine’s duty cycle and print volume to learn more about the key differences between the two.
2 Cons of the Xerox B310
Let’s now go through some of the cons of the Xerox B310:
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Not an Option for Large Workgroups
While the Xerox B310 can meet the print volume of small workgroups it’s not built to withstand the workload required to satisfy large businesses’ printing needs.
The Xerox B310 would not be able to safely print at the volume needed for businesses that print over its 6,000-page recommended monthly print volume.
If you’re a large workgroup and want a black-and-white multifunction printer option, you would want to look into machines like the Xerox VersaLink B405, B605 or B7135.
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Single-Function Printer Only
A notable downside to the Xerox B310 is that it’s a single-function machine, which means it can only print and can’t copy, scan or fax.
If you need a black-and-white multifunction printer of a similar size, the Xerox B225 and Xerox B235 maintain many of the same qualities as the B310 but can perform multiple functions in addition to printing.
The Xerox B310 also cannot print documents in color, so if you needed to print documents in color, you would need to look at the Xerox C230 or Xerox C310.
Xerox B310 Cost
As listed previously, the base cost of the Xerox B310 is around $420. This doesn’t include optional upgrades or maintenance plans that you may want to include upon purchase of your machine.
Read our blog on how much a printer costs to see the total cost of owning a printer, including after you’ve purchased the machine.
Who Is the Xerox B310 a Good Fit for?
The Xerox B310 is a good fit for:
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Small businesses or home offices that need a black-and-white printer that can efficiently print around 6,000 pages a month.
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Those looking to purchase an efficient office printer that allows for mobile printing and access to features such as the Xerox Workflow Central platform.
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Those looking for a secure device with features that help prevent network intrusions and security breaches.
If you fall into one of these categories, then the Xerox B310 could be for you. However, you would want to extensively evaluate your specific printing goals with a business consultant before purchasing.
Who Is the Xerox B310 Not a Good Fit for?
The Xerox B310 is not a good fit for:
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Workgroups that print over 6,000 pages a month or significantly under that 6,000-page threshold.
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Those searching for a multifunction printer or a more robust printing solution.
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Businesses or individuals that require a machine with color printing capability.
If you fall into one of these categories, then this is not the printer for you. Read our blog about how to choose a printer for your budget and business needs to help with choosing the right model for you.
Think the Xerox B310 Is Right for You?
If you’re an individual or small workgroup that needs a printer that can safely and efficiently print around 6,000 pages a month, then you would be a good candidate for the Xerox B310.
However, the Xerox B310 will not be a fit for workgroups that print over 6,000 pages per month or for offices that require an all-in-one printer that can print, copy, scan and fax.
The Xerox B310 also does not print in color, so you wouldn’t be a fit for the machine if you need to print documents in color.
Take all the information you learned in this review, and ask yourself, “Is this the right machine for me?”
If it is, we can provide you with it as soon as possible. If not, that’s okay: We’re here to help.
If you think the Xerox B310 is right for you, or still need help in determining which machine to go with, reach out to us and we will find the solution for you, even if it’s not with us.
