Xerox PrimeLink C9065 Printer Review: Pros, Cons and Cost

Submitted by Nolan Fowler on Mon, 03/14/2022 - 07:19
Xerox PrimeLink C9065 next to a wall in an empty hallway

So, you’re in the market for a new production printer but don’t quite know where to start your research process.  

After all, printers can be complex machines, and an ill-informed purchase could be costly for your business if you find your investment doesn’t meet your ideal printing standards.  

We’ve seen this scenario play out too many times during our 35 years as a locally managed print vendor, and it’s given us the motivation to compile reviews of the products we deal with on a daily basis, so you don’t make that pricey mistake.   

We deal exclusively with Xerox machines, which has afforded us an insider’s expertise of the company’s products and has given us the knowledge capacity to provide thorough reviews of their different printer models.  

“But, if you sell Xerox products, and you’re doing a review of a Xerox product, then how do I know I’m getting the right information to make a purchasing decision?”  

A fair question, but one we address head-on.  

We don’t make content to fabricate a false reality. Our goal at Strategic Technology Partners of Texas is to give you a fully-fledged, impartial analysis of the topic at hand, even if that means unearthing the uncomfortable.  

Today, we’ll be looking at the Xerox PrimeLink C9065 production printer, including its basic specifications, key features, configuration options and pros and cons to assess who is and isn’t a fit for the machine.  

The PrimeLink C9065 will not be the option for everyone, and our goal with this blog is to objectively educate you on the elements you need to consider before making a final buying decision.   

Xerox PrimeLink C9065 Basics       

Here are some general statistics and information for the PrimeLink C9065 to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:       

Print Speed: Up to 65 ppm (pages per minute) in color, 70 ppm in black-and-white   

Auto Duplex Speed: Up to 65 ppm two-sided in color, up to 70 ppm two-sided in black-and-white    

Recommended Average Monthly Print Volume: 10,000 to 50,000 pages per month    

Duty Cycle: Up to 300,000 pages/month    

Print Resolution 2400 x 2400 dpi (dots per inch)  

Base Model Dimensions: Height-54.8 in, Width- 46 in, Depth, 31.6 in

Base Model Weight: 563 pounds  

Cost: Starting at around $16,183 

A look at the PrimeLink C9065:  

Xerox PrimeLink C9065 Key Features   

Now, let’s look at some of the key features that come with the PrimeLink C9065 production multifunction printer.     

Image Quality Enhancements    

The PrimeLink C9065 can be equipped with EFI servers (Fiery Print Servers) that are embedded with Pantone technologies such as Pantone Goe and Pantone Plus, which ensure that you get the colors you desire for whatever project you’re conducting.  

According to Color Guides, Pantone Goe is “used to select, specify and communicate 2,058 new solid colors” and are arranged chromatically with an intuitive number system so that “colors are printed with their RGB values and ink mixing formulas for accurate simulation and reproduction.”  

Pantone Plus is an extension of the popular Pantone Matching System that preserves all the solid colors of the Pantone Matching System but adds other colors and tools to help further augment the feature.  

In addition to the embedded Pantone technologies, the PrimeLink C9065 includes Xerox’s Emulsion Aggregation toner with ultra-low melt technology, which helps sharpen the image quality of prints and improves fine lines and texts.  

Media Latitude and Print Finishing Options  

The PrimeLink C9065 also comes with the capability to print on specialty and heavyweight stocks up to 350 grams per square meter (gsm).  

You can print up to 26-inch banners, book jackets, calendars and other applications with the Extra Long Sheet capability feature.   

There’s also a range of print finishing options, including full-bled trimmed booklets and punch, crease and fold, as well as additional finishing options, including Xerox’s Production-Ready Finisher, that can be added upon purchase of the machine.  

Touchscreen Interface and App Gallery     

The Xerox PrimeLink C9065 contains a customizable user interface that allows you to complete printing tasks simply and effectively.    

The printer also allows you to tailor the user interface to your business’s goals by choosing from the numerous applications on Xerox’s App Gallery. A few examples include:     

  • Applications that allow for connections to cloud-based services, including Connect for Dropbox, Connect for Google Drive and Connect for Microsoft OneDrive. Subscriptions are on a per-device basis and can range from one month ($10), one year ($99) or three years ($208). 

  • Auto Copy is a free application that makes creating copies faster. To put this in use, set Auto Copy as the default screen on your device when making copies.   

  • Clip2Go, which allows you to clip and crop certain parts of a print on the device and preview it. The price is per device, and it’s $27 for one year, $50 for two years and $60 for three years.  

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

Printer Accessories for Xerox PrimeLink C9065    

The PrimeLink C9065 includes multiple configuration options that will allow you to customize and upgrade your machine in ways that best optimize your business needs. Some of the options include:  

Standard Printer Accessories

  • Five Internal Trays
  • User Interface
  • Integrated Scanner

Optional Printer Accessories

  • Two-Tray Oversized High-Capacity Feeder  
  • Extra Long Sheet Capability  
  • One-Tray Xerox High-Capacity Feeder
  • One-Tray Oversized High-Capacity Feeder
  • One-Tray Oversized High-Capacity Feeder with Storage Cabinet
  • Xerox Interface Deculer Module  
  • Xerox Inserter  
  • Offset Catch Tray

Print Finishing Options

  • GBC AdvancedPunch Pro  
  • Xerox Crease and Two-sided Trimmer   
  • Xerox C/Z Folder  
  • Xerox Production Ready Finisher
  • Xerox Production Ready Finisher Plus
  • Xerox Production Ready Finisher Booklet Maker  
  • Xerox SquareFold Trimmer Module      
  • Xerox Business Ready Finisher
  • Xerox Business Ready Booklet Maker Finisher
  • Xerox Basic Punch
  • Plockmatic Pro 50/35 Booklet Maker
  • Convenience Stapler

Before purchasing any additional accessories for your machine, it’s best to go over all your printing goals with a print vendor, to make sure the upgrades are a worthwhile purchase for your business.   

Here’s a look at the PrimeLink C9065 with some of the optional upgrades (via Absolute Toner): 

3 Pros of the Xerox PrimeLink C9065    

To get a better feel for what you’re getting with the PrimeLink C9065, let’s look at some of the main pros associated with the device.    

1. All-In-One Printing Solution    

The PrimeLink C9065 is a production color multifunction printer, which means it can print, copy, fax and scan in both color and black-and-white. The printer also has further scan capabilities like Scan to PC, USB or Email and allows for mobile printing for authorized devices.  

To learn more about multifunction printers, read these blogs:   

2. Pristine Resolution and Advanced Color Technology  

With a print resolution of 2400 x 2400 dpi, the PrimeLink C9065 can produce quality production prints with fine-line detail and smooth color transitions at speeds of up to 70 ppm.   

The printer also comes with the new, optional, Xerox’s Adaptive CMYK Plus Technology, which includes Xerox’s Vivid Toner Kit (allows for gold, silver, white and clear colors) and Xerox’s Fluorescent Toner Kit, which adds impact with fluorescent cyan, magenta and yellow.  

Examples of a print using Xerox’s Vivid Toner Kit: 

3. Stringent Security Measures   

The PrimeLink C9065 comes with strict security features that, according to Xerox’s website, include:  

  • Multiple layers of security, from data encryption, access controls, disk overwrite and industry certifications.   

  • Audit Log, which ensures an audit trail of operators’ key events.   

  • Secure Print and Secure Scanning, which helps protect document security for the print and scanning functions.  

Read our blog about Xerox’s approach to cybersecurity to learn more about the company’s security initiatives.     

2 Cons of the Xerox PrimeLink C9065    

Now that we’ve covered some of the pros of the PrimeLink C9065, let’s go over some of the cons that you need to consider before making a final purchasing decision:    

1. Not Ideal for Small Workspaces  

The PrimeLink C9065 is a large machine (54.8” x 46” x 31.6”) and because of all the upgrade options, can get much bigger and heavier as more accessories are added to it.  

Because of its size, it would be difficult for businesses with compacted workplaces to adequately fit the printer into their workspace.  

You will also need to make sure you have an electrical outlet that can accommodate the PrimeLink C9065’s electrical capacity. The PrimeLink C9065’s electrical requirements are below:

Voltage: 110-127 VAC +/- 10%

Frequency: 50/60 Hz +/- 3%, 20 A

Read our blog on a printer’s space and electrical requirements to learn more.

2. Not a General Printer Option  

The PrimeLink C9065 is a production printer, which means it’s primarily for larger modern office workgroups and in-plant print shops. 

The PrimeLink C9065 fits very specific needs and would not be a viable option for businesses or individuals who are seeking a basic multifunction or single-function printer.  

Xerox PrimeLink C9065 Cost      

The base cost of the PrimeLink C9065 is around $16,183 and can vary depending on the finisher option you choose, which is required as part of the purchase of this production printer.   

This also doesn’t include the Fiery Print Server, which will most likely be necessary to execute production features. Depending on the specifics, a Fiery Print Server can range from $5,900-$11,500.  

Any additional accessories or upgrades you want will also add to the total cost of the printer.   

Buying a production printer is a big investment that should not be taken lightly. That being said, the PrimeLink C9065 is built as an entry-level production printer and is affordable relative to other, more advanced options, such as the Xerox Iridesse Production Press.     

Some vendors may offer trade-ins and there’s also the option to lease your printer, which will break the total amount into more affordable monthly payments. For more printer cost information, read these blogs:     

Who Is the Xerox PrimeLink C9065 a Good Fit for?      

Let’s summarize and go over who the PrimeLink C9065 is a good fit for.       

The PrimeLink C9065 is a good fit for:   

  • Businesses who are interested in a production-style printer.  

  • Businesses that routinely print manuals, pamphlets and other special color and black-and-white prints.  

  • Businesses who require print finishing options such as binder, booklet making, cutting, slitting, folding, hole punch and stapler, among others.   

  • Businesses that need advanced color printing options.   

If you fall into one of these categories, then you would be a candidate for the PrimeLink C9065. However, because of the price of the machine, you would want to extensively evaluate your specific printing goals with a business consultant before purchasing.    

Who Is the Xerox PrimeLink C9065 Not a Good Fit for?     

Now, let’s go over who wouldn’t be a fit for the PrimeLink C9065.    

The PrimeLink C9065 is not a good fit for:    

  • Businesses that don’t have adequate space to accommodate the machine’s size.  

  • Businesses that don’t have a large office equipment budget.  

  • Businesses or individuals who need a basic multifunction printer or single-function printer.  

  • Businesses that don’t require the ability to make special prints, such as booklets and manuals.       

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

Xerox PrimeLink C9065 vs. Xerox PrimeLink C9070    

The PrimeLink C9065 does have a more advanced model in the same series called the PrimeLink C9070.  

While they contain many of the same features, the C9070 model has faster print speeds in both the color and black-and-white categories (by five ppm), while also containing faster auto duplex print speeds in each category (by two ppm). It also has a higher duty cycle, which means it can withstand more volume.  

Because the PrimeLink C9070 is slightly more efficient, it will also be slightly more expensive. Currently, the base price of the PrimeLink C9070 is around $17,690, which is about $1,500 more than the PrimeLink C9065 base cost.  

Read our review of the PrimeLink C9070 to learn more about the model.  

Think the Xerox PrimeLink C9065 Is Right for You?    

The PrimeLink C9065 is a quality option for those who need an entry-level production printer with advanced color image enhancements and multiple configuration options.  

It should be restated, however, that production-style printers meet very specific printing needs. If you’re looking for a basic multifunction or single-function printer, then the PrimeLink C9065 would not be a good fit for you.  

Our foremost goal as a company is to find the option that is right for you by giving you the unfiltered information you need to come to a final purchasing decision.     

If you’re interested in the PrimeLink C9065 or have any additional questions about the model, reach out to us and we’ll be there to assist you.