As you research for a new printer, you might be thinking to yourself: “Is there an honest review of this printer model anywhere?”
You might easily find the positives about the machine you’re looking into, but what about the negatives? If you’re like most brands, the limitations of a product aren’t usually expounded upon in the way that “the good things” about the product are.
Access to unbiased and accurate information is what you need, and through our 35 years as a local print vendor, we’ve accumulated the knowledge and adapted the progressive mindset to deliver both.
In that vein, we can tell you that the Xerox PrimeLink B9136, the machine we’ll be reviewing today, will not be for most consumers, as it is considered an entry-level production printer.
Furthermore, Xerox, the brand we partner with, will not be the right fit for everyone, and there are several other reputable printer manufacturers that may better align with your printing goals.
With that out of the way, let’s get into the review, which will cover the machine’s basic specifications, features, pros, cons and cost while providing a summary of who is and isn’t a fit for the machine.
Xerox PrimeLink B9136 Basics
Here are some general statistics and information for the PrimeLink B9136 to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:
Print Speed: Up to 136 ppm (pages per minute)
Recommended Average Monthly Print Volume: 70,000 to 700,000 pages per month
Monthly Duty Cycle: 3 million pages
Print Resolution 2400 x 2400 dpi (dots per inch)
Copy Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi
First-Copy-Out-Time: 3.9 seconds
Dimensions: Height-54.8 in, Width- 62 in, Depth, 31.6 in
Cost: Starting at around $31,000
A look at the basic configuration of the PrimeLink B9136:
2 Key Features of the Xerox PrimeLink B9136
Now, let’s look at some of the key features that come with the PrimeLink B9136:
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Image Quality Enhancements
In addition to printing with a resolution of 2400 x 2400 dpi, the PrimeLink B9136 has several image quality enhancements that contribute to pristine black-and-white prints.
The PrimeLink B9136 includes Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology, which contributes to image quality by using 32 lasers to provide consistent print densities and natural grays.
Other image quality enhancement features include Simple Image Quality Adjustment (SIQA), which automatically adjusts toner density for defect-free output, and Digital Image Registration Control Technology (IReCT), which makes corrections digitally on prints by measuring each sheet position as it runs through the printer.
There is also the option to include a Xerox EX B9100 Fiery Print Server that can provide performance-boosting features such as automation and advanced job setup.
In addition to the Fiery Print Server, EA-ECO LGK toner is included with the machine and provides more consistent, smoother shades of gray and contributes to better readability with its low-gloss matte finish.
Example of a print from the PrimeLink B9100 Series:
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Touchscreen Interface and App Gallery
The Xerox PrimeLink B9136 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 the Xerox’s App Gallery. A few examples include:
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Xerox Auto-Redaction, which allows you to choose Personally Identifiable Information (PII), or custom words and phrases, to be automatically redacted in a document, which protects sensitive data. The price of the app is $69 for 2000 scan pages, $199 for 7500 scan pages and $499 for 5000 scan pages, and it can be universally used on all of your devices once purchased.
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CapturePoint XAG, which lets you use CapturePoint, a cloud service, to scan and convert papers into preferred formats and transfer the results to your destination of choice. The price is per device and is $100 for a 1000-page scanning capacity.
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Scanning App for DocuShare, which is a free application that enables the scanning of documents into business workflows, no matter if it’s inside or outside a company’s firewall. The app requires an existing account on a DocuShare Flex or DocuShare server with workflow buttons pre-configured by a site administrator.
Example of the CapturePoint XAG app:
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:
Additional Configuration Options for Xerox PrimeLink B9136
The PrimeLink B9136 includes multiple inline finishing, feeding and paper handling options that allow you to customize and upgrade your machine in ways that best optimize your business needs. Here is a list of the machine's standard, optional and finishing options:
Standard Accessories
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Four Internal Trays
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A Bypass Tray
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Control Panel
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Integrated Single-Pass Automatic Document Feeder/Scanner
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Simple Catch Tray
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Offsetting Catch Tray
Optional Accessories
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Xerox Integrated Server for the Xerox PrimeLink B9100 Series
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Xerox EX B9100 Series Fiery Print Server
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Optional High-Capacity Feeder (two trays, 2,000 sheets each)
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Oversized High-Capacity Feeder (One-Tray and Two-Tray options)
Finishing Options
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Two-Tray Oversized High-Capacity Feeder- Holds up to 4,000 sheets.
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XLS Feed Guide and Output Guide- Used for Extra-Long-Sheet printing (26 in); requires either One-Tray or Two-Tray Oversize High-Capacity Feeder.
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Xerox Basic Punch- An option for punching 2/3. 2/4 and Swedish 4-hole on the Production Ready Finisher and Booklet Maker.
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GBC AdvancedPunch Pro- Lets you create bound documents in-house by combining printing, punching and collating.
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Xerox Interface Deculer Module-Improve throughout and efficiency connecting Production Ready Finishers.
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Xerox Inserter- Inserts 250 pre-printed or blank sheets into finishing for pre-printed covers.
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GBC AdvancedPunch Pro- Punch for coil and comb binding near-line.
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Xerox High-Capacity Stacker- Enables stacking and offsetting for 5,000 sheets up to 350 gsm (Grams per Square Meter)
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Xerox Crease and Two-sided Trimmer- Trims the head and foot of a sheet up to 0.985 in.
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Xerox C/Z Folder- Produces sheets with C and Z folds for A4 papers (8.5 x 11 in.)
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Xerox Production Ready Finisher Booklet Maker- Produces booklets up to 200 pages.
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Plockmatic Pro 50/35 Booklet Maker- Makes production booklets up to 200 pages
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Xerox Production Ready Finisher and Production Ready Finisher Plus- Produces finishing and stacking with a 500-sheet top tray and 3,000-sheet stacker tray and built-in bi-directional decurler.
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Xerox High-Capacity Stacker with Rollaway Cart- Enables stacking and offsetting for 5,000 sheets up to 350 gsm using standard-sized paper.
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Xerox SquareFold Trimmer Module- Creates flat-edged finished booklets.
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Xerox Tape Binder- Produces inline thermal tape binding.
Before purchasing any additional accessories for your machine, it’s best to go over your printing requirements with a print provider to make sure the upgrades are worthwhile purchases for your business.
To help with narrowing down what accessories to add to your machine, think of the types of prints you’ll need to make, and whether you require hole punch, stapling, folding or any of the other available print finishing options.
Here’s a look at what the PrimeLink B9136 could look like with some of the optional upgrades:
2 Pros of the Xerox PrimeLink B9136
To get a better feel for what you’re getting with the PrimeLink B9136, let’s look at some of the main pros associated with the device.
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Production Versatility
Because of its range of feeding, stacking and finishing options, the PrimeLink B9136 is built to act as an office multifunction printer with entry-level production capabilities.
That means the machine can print banners, calendars window clings and other specialty prints, potentially up to 26 inches with the Extra Long Sheet capability feature, while also covering the basic tasks of a multifunction printer, like scan, copy and fax.
There’s also a range of finishing and configuration options that can be included to make the printer more customized to meet your needs, such as Xerox’s Basic Punch, Xerox’s Squarefold Trimmer and Xerox’s Production-Ready Finisher.
Its versatility makes the PrimeLink B9136 a fit for workplaces that need both office multifunction and entry-level production features in a machine.
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Pristine Print Resolution and Efficiency
With a print resolution of 2400 x 2400 dpi, the PrimeLink B9136 can produce quality high-definition black-and-white production prints with fine-line detail.
With print speeds of up to 110 ppm and scan speeds up to 270 images per minute (ipm), the PrimeLink B9136 also performs its tasks at an efficient rate, which contributes to greater office productivity by speeding up basic office responsibilities.
2 Cons of the Xerox PrimeLink B9136
Now that we’ve covered two of the pros of the PrimeLink B9136, let’s go over two of the cons that you need to consider before making a final purchasing decision:
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Not Ideal for Small Workspaces
The PrimeLink B9136 is a large machine (54.8” x 62” x 31”) and because of all the additional 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, and thus, is not a fit for small work environments.
You also need to make sure you have the electrical capacity to house the machine. If not, you would need to update your electrical outlet to accommodate it. The PrimeLink B9136’s electrical requirements are below: 
Read our blog on why space and electrical requirements are crucial components to consider before purchasing a machine, especially a production printer.
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No Color Printing Capability
The PrimeLink B9136 is not a color production printer, which means if you need to make specialty prints, like booklets and calendars, in color, then this machine would not be a good fit for you.
If you’re looking for an entry-level, color production printer, the PrimeLink C9065 or C9070 could be an option for you.
Xerox PrimeLink B9136 Cost
The base cost of the PrimeLink B9136 is around $31,000 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 can 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 B9136 is built as an entry-level production printer and is affordable relative to other, more advanced options, such as the Xerox Nuvera 288/314 Production Presses.
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 B9136 a Good Fit for?
Let’s summarize and go over who the PrimeLink B9136 is a good fit for:
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Businesses that are interested in an entry-level, production-style printer that also acts as an office printing solution.
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Businesses that routinely print manuals, pamphlets and other special black-and-white prints.
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Businesses that require print finishing options such as binder, booklet making, cutting, slitting, folding, hole punch and stapler, among others.
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Businesses that want to make a long-term printing investment.
If you fall into one of these categories, then you would be a candidate for the PrimeLink B9136. 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 B9136 Not a Good Fit for?
Now, let’s go over who wouldn’t be a fit for the PrimeLink B9136:
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Businesses who don’t have adequate space to accommodate the machine’s size.
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Businesses or individuals who need a basic multifunction printer or single-function printer.
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Businesses that need a color entry-level production printer or a more robust production printing option.
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 selecting the model that most aligns with your goals.
How Do the Other Models in the Xerox PrimeLink B9100 Series Compare?
The PrimeLink B9136 is the most advanced model in the PrimeLink B9100 Series, with the others being the PrimeLink B9100, B9110 and B9125 models.
While they contain many of the same basic features, the major difference between the models in the Series is their print efficiency.
The PrimeLink B9100 model prints at speeds of up to 100 ppm, the B9110 prints at speeds of up to 110 ppm, the B9125 prints at speeds of up to 125 ppm and the B9136 prints at speeds of up to 136 ppm.
Because the machines’ print efficiency goes up as the models advance in the Series, so too, will the price: the more efficient the printer is, the more expensive it will be.
Read our review of the PrimeLink B9100 model to learn more about how the first model in the Series compares to the other ones.
If you would like an all-encompassing guide to the PrimeLink printer family, read our blog covering the six PrimeLink printers in detail.
Think the Xerox PrimeLink B9136 Is Right for You?
The PrimeLink B9136 is a unique printing solution that meets the specific needs of larger modern office workgroups that desire a black-and-white multifunction printer that can execute production-style prints while operating at an efficient level.
However, the PrimeLink B9136 will not be a fit for consumers looking for a basic multifunction or single-function printer and it cannot meet color printing needs.
It’s also not a good fit for those in the market for an advanced production printer that needs a machine to handle a print volume of over a million pages a month.
Our time in the printer industry has taught us how important of a role education plays in making the right investment. This is especially the case when looking into a production-style unit, whose price can run into the $30,000 range.
If you think the PrimeLink B9136 could be an option for you, or you’re interested in finding another print solution, reach out to us and an industry expert will be there to guide you.
