Finding the right printer for your office is much harder than you think.
That is the conclusion we’ve come to after spending over 35 years in the printer industry and working with a plethora of businesses, from mom-and-pop shops to massive school districts, in finding the exact machine they need to effectively run their daily business operations.
Many consumers purchase a printer based on the merits of price, and while some situations are well-suited for a cheaper retail option, others need a more comprehensive solution.
Because if you buy the cheapest printer and find that the volume at which you print is substantially more than the machine can take, the machine will eventually die out, and you’ll be left at a cost deficit that could’ve been avoided if you bought the right machine in the first place.
To help you avoid wasting money on an inadequate machine, we are going to provide a review of the Xerox VersaLink C600, a machine we’ve become inherently familiar with during our partnership with Xerox.
We are open about the fact that we sell the product we’re reviewing today because our company principles revolve around complete honesty and transparency, even if it conflicts with a sales goal.
As a consumer, you want access to fair and accurate information so you can make the decision yourself. We plan to give you that information and back off so you can decide whether the VersaLink C600 is right for you using your own judgment.
With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s jump into the review, which will cover the printer’s basic specifications, key features, configuration options and pros and cons before summing up who would and wouldn’t be a candidate for the machine.
Xerox VersaLink C600 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 55 ppm (pages per minute)
Recommended Average Monthly Print Volume: Up to 17,000 pages per month
Duty Cycle: Up to 120,000 pages per month
Processor Speed: 1.05 GHz (gigahertz)
Print Memory: 2 GB standard
Maximum Print Resolution: 1200 X 2400 dpi (dots per inch)
First-Page-Out Time Printing: As fast as 5.1 seconds for color and 4.7 seconds for black-and-white
Cost: Starting at around $1,379
For a look at the dimensions of the VersaLink C600 base model, see the picture below:
Xerox VersaLink C600 Key Features
Now, let’s look at some of the key features that come with the VersaLink C600 printer:
Touchscreen Interface and App Gallery
The Xerox VersaLink C600 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:
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Connect for Dropbox, which lets you store and pull documents from the cloud storage service, Dropbox. The app costs $10 per month, $99 per year or $208 for three years.
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Email Connect, a free application that lets you scan documents to your email address by choosing your email provider, putting in your email address and then pressing save.
The Email Connect app:
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Touchless Access, which is a free application that allows you to scan a QR code from the printer with your mobile device, affording you the ability to control the machine from your phone. It is applicable on all VersaLink and AltaLink devices.
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 C600 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
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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 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 C600
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:
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A 2,000-sheet high-capacity document feeder (includes caster base)
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250 GB Hard Drive
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A front-side USB port.
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A 150-sheet Bypass Tray.
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The High-Capacity Feeder, which adds up to 2,000 sheets.
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Up to four additional 550-sheet paper trays.
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Finisher option, which collates and staples sets of up to 50 sheets and includes a 500-sheet output tray.
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A four-bin mailbox that can handle up to 100 sheets in each tray.
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Stand/Cabinet (includes stabilizers)
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RFID Card Reader Kit (required when Finisher/Mailbox is included)
These are some of the optional accessories or upgrades for the VersaLink C600 that you can have included upon purchase.
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 C600 could look like with additional upgrades:
2 Pros of the Xerox VersaLink C600
To get a better feel for the advantages of purchasing the VersaLink C600, let’s look at some of the main pros associated with the machine:
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Superb Print Quality and Speed
With a print resolution of 1200 x 2400 dpi, the VersaLink C600 delivers high-quality prints at speeds of up to 55 ppm, meaning it can print both efficiently and effectively.
The high print resolution applies to both black-and-white and color prints, resulting in sharp text, fine line detail and topnotch color vibrancy.
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Permanent Office Solution
In addition to its capability of printing at a high volume, the VersaLink C600 is also built to act as a permanent color and black-and-white 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 C600
Now that we’ve covered some of the positives regarding the VersaLink C600, let’s go over some of the negatives that you need to consider before making a purchasing decision:
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Incapable of Printing Certain Paper Sizes
The VersaLink C600 does not have the capability to print 11 x 17 prints (tabloid), or anything larger than 8 ½ x 14 in. If you need a printer that can print larger or specialty prints, then this is not the machine for you.
If you’re wanting a color printer that can make prints larger than 8 ½ x 14 inches, the VersaLink C7000 would be an option, although it is an advanced color printer, and thus, will be more expensive ($1,799)
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Single-Function Printer Only
Another notable downside to the VersaLink C600 is that it’s a single-function machine, which means it can only print.
If you require a color printer with multifunction capabilities, you will want to look into the VersaLink C605, which retains many of the same abilities as the C600 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 C600 Cost
As listed previously, the base cost of the VersaLink C600 is around $1,379. 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 C600 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 C8100 series, the VersaLink C600 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 C600 a Good Fit for?
The VersLink C600 would be a good fit for:
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Small-to-medium-sized businesses that need a color printer with a large monthly print volume.
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Those looking to purchase an efficient printer with advanced technological features, such as a touchscreen and App Gallery.
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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 you would be a candidate for the VersaLink C600. However, you would want to extensively evaluate your specific printing goals with a business consultant before purchasing.
Who Is the Xerox VersaLink C600 Not a Good Fit for?
The VersaLink C600 would not be a good fit for:
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Businesses that require an all-in-one, multifunction option that can print, copy, scan and fax.
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Those who require a black-and-white printer only.
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Businesses that need a machine to handle a robust monthly 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 C600 Is Right for You?
The VersaLink C600 is a quality option for workgroups of 10-20 daily users that need an efficient color printer to act as their office’s permanent printing solution.
However, workgroups that need a multifunction device, a black-and-white printer or a more potent printing solution will need to look into another model.
Spending over a thousand dollars on a printer is something that should not be done irrationally and without an extensive research process to avoid making a costly mistake.
As a print vendor that’s guided companies of all kinds to their ideal print solution, we know what it takes to find the machine that will not only meet your basic printing requirements but also provide you with an adequate return on your investment.
If you’re interested in the VersaLink C600 or want to discuss your current print environment, reach out to us and we will find the solution for you, even if it’s not with us.
