Buying office equipment is much like buying a new car.
You have to do your research, figure out which vehicle is right for you and determine how you’re going to pay for it.
It sounds like a simple process but speeding through the stages can result in a purchase that is inadequate for your situation—which means wasted time, and most tangibly, money.
For over 35 years now, we’ve seen more than a few consumers experience this exact scenario with their purchase of a new printer/copier.
It’s not always on the consumer, though. Finding access to accurate and unbiased information can seem impossible at times, especially when it comes to the office equipment industry.
We’re changing that trend. Using our industry expertise and progressive marketing mindset, we give you the facts and get out of the way. It’s the modern-day approach to the buyer-seller relationship, and we’ve incorporated it into every aspect of the consumer experience.
Since our expertise lies in Xerox products, which we sell, we will be taking a look at the Xerox VersaLink B7135 (update of the VersaLink B7035) in this blog.
Since honesty drives our sales and content-making process, we will tell you upfront that this machine will not be a fit for every workplace.
Furthermore, there are dozens of major printer brands on the market that might be a better fit for your goals and requirements in an office machine.
But if you’re looking for a comprehensive, impartial and expert-led review of the Xerox VersaLink B7135, then you’ve come to the right place.
With that out of the way, let’s get into the review, which will cover the machine’s basic specifications, features, configuration options and pros and cons before summing up who would and wouldn’t be a fit for the printer.
Xerox VersaLink B7135 Basics
Here are some general statistics and information about the VersaLink B7135 to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:
Print Speed: Up to 35 pages per minute (ppm)
Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 153,000 pages
Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 17,000 pages
Print Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi (dots per inch)
Copy Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi
First-Print-Out-Time: As fast as 4.8 seconds
First-Copy-Out-Time: As fast as 4.3 seconds
Base Model Dimensions: 23.23” x 26.41” x 30.18”
Base Model Weight: 119.5 pounds
Cost: Starting at around $5,900
For a look at the base model of the VersaLink B7135, see the picture below:
Xerox VersaLink B7135 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 VersaLink B7135:
Touchscreen Interface and App Gallery
The Xerox VersaLink B7135 contains a customizable, seven-inch tablet-like color touchscreen that allows you to complete printing tasks simply and effectively.
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:
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Connect for Microsoft 365, which gives you a cloud-storage solution to find, store and print digitized documents. The app is priced per device at $10 per month, $99 a year and $208 for three years.
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QuickBooks Online, which links users directly to the QuickBooks service to quicken the expense reporting process. The app will let you scan multiple receipts at once, preview the receipts, edit and submit the data fields and notify the approver from the device. The price of the app is $20 for 100 receipts, $69 for 500 receipts and $99 for 1000 receipts, and you must have an existing QuickBooks Online account and access to a computer to use the app.
Example of the QuickBooks Online app:
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Xerox Auto-Redaction allows you to select Personally Identifiable Information, or custom words and phrases, and redact it while keeping the rest of the document intact, thus ensuring that sensitive information is not compromised. It’s $69 for a 2000-page scan capacity, $199 for a 7,500-page scan capacity and $499 for 25,000-page scan capacity.
The Xerox App Gallery contains several industry-specific and general applications that can help increase overall 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 B7135 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 security measures involve a comprehensive Firmware Verification test upon printer activation, and further security enhancements by Xerox’s external partnership with McAfee, which includes their whitelisting technology that consistently monitors, detects and blocks cyber threats on your device.
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.
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:
Xerox VersaLink B7135 Accessories and Upgrades
Let’s take a look at some of the standard accessories and different configuration and finishing options that will allow you to customize and upgrade your machine in ways that best optimize your business needs:
Standard Printer Accessories
Here are the accessories that come standard with the VersaLink B7135:
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A 130-sheet Duplex Automatic Document Feeder (DADF)
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Card Reader Bay and embedded USB port.
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A 100-sheet Bypass Tray.
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A 520-sheet Tray.
Optional Printer Accessories
Now, let’s look at some of the additional accessories you can have included with your machine upon purchase:
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The Single Tray Module (increases total paper capacity to 1,140 sheets; includes Bypass Tray)
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The Stand Module (offers a total paper capacity of 1,140 sheets and provides storage for toner cartridges and other supplies; includes Bypass Tray.)
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The Three Tray Module (can increase paper capacity to 2,180 sheets; includes Bypass Tray.)
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The Tandem Tray Module (can increase paper capacity to 3,140 sheets; includes Bypass Tray)
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The Envelope Tray (can replace Tray 1 to provide feeding of up to 60 envelopes.)
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High-Capacity Feeder (holds 2,000 sheets of letter/A4 paper.)
Print Finishing Options
Lastly, here are the finishing options you can include with the VersaLink B7135:
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The Office Finisher (provides 500-sheet stacking, three-position stapling and optional hole punch.)
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The Office Finisher with Booklet Maker (can be used to create 64-page saddle-stitched booklets ranging from 2 to 16 sheets.)
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The Work Surface and Convenience Stapler (Staples up to 50 sheets.)
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The Dual Off-Set Catch Trays (stack up to 250 sheets each.)
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The Integrated Office Finisher (provides 500-sheet stacking and 50-sheet, dual position stapling.)
Depending on the accessories you choose, the weight and dimensions of the printer will vary, as will the price. 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 B7135 could look like with additional upgrades:
2 Pros of the Xerox VersaLink B7135
Next, let’s look at some of the pros of the VersaLink B7135:
1. All-In-One Printing Solution
The VersaLink B7135 is a multifunction printer, which means you’re getting a machine that not only has print capabilities but also can act as your scanner, fax machine and copier, as well.
The major advantage to purchasing a multifunction printer is you get all the basic office functions in one machine, without having to invest in or make space for a separate scanner, copier or fax machine.
For more information about multifunction printers, read these blogs:
2. Permanent Solution
In addition to being able to perform as an all-encompassing print solution, the VersaLink B7135 is also built to act as a permanent printing solution for your workplace.
Investing in an advanced multifunction printer is a long-term investment, which means you can expect the machine to last for a long time if you follow the recommended monthly print volume.
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.
2 Cons of the Xerox VersaLink B7135
Let’s now go through some of the cons of the VersaLink B7135:
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No Color Printing Capability
The main downside to the VersaLink B7135 is it only prints/copies in black-and-white, which means the machine would not be a fit for those that need to print in color.
If you’re looking for a similar multifunction option that can print in color, the VersaLink C7025 could be an option for you.
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Not an Option for Large Workgroups
While the VersaLink B7135 can meet the print volume of small-to-medium-sized workgroups (3-10 daily users) it’s not built to withstand the workload required to satisfy large businesses’ printing needs.
With a recommended monthly print volume of 17,000 pages, the VersaLink B7135 likely wouldn’t be an option for large school districts, hospitals or offices that print over that 17,000-page print volume per month.
If you’re a large workgroup and are wanting a black-and-white multifunction printer option, you would want to look into one of the three options in the AltaLink B8100 Series.
Xerox VersaLink B7135 Cost
As listed previously, the base cost of the VersaLink B7135 is around $5,900. This doesn’t include optional upgrades or maintenance plans that you may want to include upon purchase of your machine.
While you will still be able to execute wireless printing as long as the printer is connected to your network, you may want to purchase a separate Wireless Connectivity Kit to set up WIFI on the VersaLink B7135 if you don’t have adequate network drops in your office.
It’s also handy if you need to move the printer around the office to ensure you will be able to print wirelessly. You can purchase the WIFI accessory for around $50.
While being a relatively affordable option compared to other black-and-white multifunction printers, such as more advanced models like the AltaLink B8170, the VersaLink B7135 is not a cheap option. Buying a long-term multifunction printer will almost always be more expensive than buying a single-function printer, and it’s a purchase that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
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 the total price into more affordable monthly payments. For more information on this, read these blogs:
Who Is the Xerox VersaLink B7135 a Good Fit for?
The VersaLink B7135 is a good fit for:
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Small-to-medium-sized businesses that need an all-in-one black-and-white printer that can efficiently print over 15,000 pages per month.
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Those looking to purchase an efficient printer with advanced technological features, a user interface, applications and comprehensive security features.
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Those looking to make a long-term printing investment for their workplace.
If you fall into one of these categories, then the VersaLink B7135 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 VersaLink B7135 Not a Good Fit for?
The VersaLink B7135 is not a good fit for:
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Those searching for a single-function printer.
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Businesses that require a machine with color printing capability.
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Large workgroups with a monthly print volume of over 17,000 pages.
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.
Xerox VersaLink B7035 vs. Xerox VersaLink B7135?
As mentioned in the introduction, the VersaLink B7135 printer is the updated version of the VersaLink B7035 machine.
There are a few notable differences you need to be aware of between the two printers. They include:
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The B7135’s first print (4.8 seconds) and copy (4.3 seconds) out time is faster than the B7035’s first print (9.1 seconds) and copy (5.4 seconds) time.
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The B7135 has a 130-sheet Single-Pass Duplex Automatic Document Feeder while the B7035 has a 110-sheet Duplex Automatic Document Feeder.
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The B7135 comes with McAfee’s Embedded Control whitelisting technology as a security feature while the B7035 does not.
Because of the added features and increased efficiency of the VersaLink B7135, it will be more expensive than the B7035, which starts at $4,300.
Think the Xerox VersaLink B7135 Is Right for You?
The VersaLink B7135 is an adequate option for offices with around 3-10 daily users that need a black-and-white multifunction printer built with advanced technology that allows for simple navigation and increased task efficiency.
However, the VersaLink B7135 is not a fit for workgroups that print over 17,000 pages, offices that need to print in color, or those that need a single-function printer for their workspace.
It can be challenging to make a final decision on an expensive purchase. We know from decades of experience in the office equipment industry that these decisions are best made with research and guidance from a trusted consultant.
If you think the VersaLink B7135 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.