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Thinking about buying a machine for your home office or small business?
The Xerox B305, which we will review today, could be an option for you—but it certainly won’t be for everybody.
As a Xerox Platinum Status Partner, we have become experts in their product catalog, and subsequently, who would and wouldn’t be a fit for a particular machine.
That’s what we will lean on in crafting this review blog. In order to make the right printer purchase, you need to have access to honest and accurate information.
Our company philosophy revolves around transparency, so this review will not be compromised because we sell this product.
We are more than comfortable calling out the downfalls of this machine and who wouldn’t want to buy it. Our goal is to give you all the information you need to make an educated decision when it comes to your next piece of printing equipment.
We’ll start by going over the basic specifications of the Xerox B305, before diving into its features, pros, cons, cost and a summary of who would benefit from buying the machine, and who should stay away.
Xerox B305 Basics
Here are some general statistics and information about the Xerox B305 to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:
Print Speed: Up to 40 pages per minute (ppm)
Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 80,000 pages
Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 8,000 pages
Print and Copy Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (dots per inch), 2400 image quality
First-Print-Out-Time: As fast as 5.8 seconds
First-Copy-Out-Time: As fast as 5.3 seconds
Base Model Dimensions: 16.2” x 14.4” x 13.3”
Base Model Weight: 28.2 pounds
Cost: Starting at around $470
For a look at the base model of the Xerox B305, see the picture below (courtesy of Xerox):
Xerox B305 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 B305:
Mobile Printing
The Xerox B305 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 about 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 B305’s defining features is its ability to access the Xerox Workflow Central platform, which can serve multiple purposes to streamline 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 B305 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 B305’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 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:
2 Pros of the Xerox B305
Next, let’s look at some of the pros of the Xerox B305:
1. All-In-One Printing Solution
The Xerox B305 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 for Small Workgroups
In addition to being able to perform as an all-in-one print solution, the Xerox B305 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 8,000 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.
2 Cons of the Xerox B305
Let’s now go through some of the cons of the Xerox B305:
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Not an Option for Large Workgroups
While the Xerox B305 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 B305 would not be able to safely print at the volume needed for businesses that print over its 8,000-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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No Color Printing Capability
One of the downsides to the Xerox B305 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 Xerox C315 could be an option for you.
Xerox B305 Cost
As listed previously, the base cost of the Xerox B305 is around $470. 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 B305 a Good Fit for?
The Xerox B305 is a good fit for:
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Small businesses or home offices that need an all-in-one black-and-white printer that can efficiently print/copy 8,000 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 or security breaches.
If you fall into one of these categories, then the Xerox B305 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 B305 Not a Good Fit for?
The Xerox B305 is not a good fit for:
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Workgroups with a monthly print volume of over 8,000 pages.
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Those searching for a single-function printer or a more robust printing solution.
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Businesses 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.
Xerox B305 vs. Xerox B315?
The Xerox B305 is closely related to another machine in Xerox’s catalog, the Xerox B315 multifunction printer.
While both are structured similarly, and they print at the same speeds and volume, the Xerox B315 includes a few features that the Xerox B305 does not include. They are:
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The Xerox B315 prints faster (up to 42 ppm) than the Xerox B305 (up to 40 ppm)
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The ability to fax documents.
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Single-pass duplex scanning.
While they differ in the features listed above, both have a 50-sheet Automatic Document Feeder and the ability to scan to email and desktop (via network and USB), as well as all the other characteristics discussed in this article.
Think the Xerox B305 Is Right for You?
The Xerox B305 is a solid home office/small business all-in-one printing solution if you print around 8,000 documents a month.
However, those that need a machine to handle a larger volume, require just a print-only printer or need the ability to print in color would need to look at another machine.
Our goal as a printer/copier company is to make your office printing equipment the least of your worries.
If you think the Xerox B305 is right for you, or want an honest opinion about which machine you should go with, reach out to us and we will find the solution for you, even if it’s not with us.
