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Printers are seemingly simple devices, and on the surface, the Xerox C235 is a basic all-in-one printer.
But with a price of around $550, it’s a purchase that you need to make sure is worth the investment.
While $550 is not an exuberant sum for most businesses, it’s enough to frustrate you if you purchase it and realize it’s not what you had hoped for.
As a Xerox Platinum Status Partner, we’ve accrued years and years of experience with Xerox machines and can rightfully explain who would and wouldn’t be a candidate for the Xerox C235.
A couple of important caveats before we get started:
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As Partners of Xerox, we sell the Xerox C235; but unlike some in our position, we’re going to give it to you straight. This review will be fact-based and free of bias.
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Secondly, there are other printer brands, like HP, Canon or Ricoh, that may better suit your needs, especially if you’re looking for a printer for personal use.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get into the review, which will cover the Xerox C235’s basic specifications, features, pros, cons and cost.
Xerox C235 Basics
Here are some general statistics and information about the Xerox C235 to help you get a feel for print speed, volume, resolution and cost:
Print Speed: Up to 24 pages per minute (ppm)
Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 30,000 pages
Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 1,500 pages
Print Resolution: 600 x 600 dpi (dots per inch), 4800 image quality
First-Print-Out-Time: As fast as 11 seconds
Base Model Dimensions: 16.2” x 15.5” x 13.6”
Base Model Weight: Around 43 pounds
Cost: Starting at around $550
For a look at the base model of the Xerox C235, see the picture below:
Xerox C235 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 C235:
Mobile Printing
The Xerox C235 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 are Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, Mopria Scan and Wi-Fi Direct.
Read our blog on 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 C235’s defining features is its ability to access the Xerox Workflow Central platform, which can serve multiple purposes with the goal of streamlining 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 C235 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 C235’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 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:
2 Pros of the Xerox C235
Next, let’s look at some of the pros of the Xerox C235:
1. Small and Reasonably Priced
The major advantage of the Xerox C235 is it’s a small printer that can serve as a desktop or home office solution for an affordable price.
Weighing about 43 pounds with dimensions of 16.2” x 15.5” x 13.6”, the Xerox C235 will be able to fit in compact spaces and won’t take up much room in your workplace.
The Xerox C235 is also a relatively cheap office printer (around $550), meaning it’s a financially accessible option for those who are looking for a basic printer on a budget.
2. Permanent Solution for Small Workgroups
In addition to being a relatively inexpensive and moveable option, the Xerox C235 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 1,500 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 C235
Let’s now go through some of the cons of the Xerox C235:
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Not an Option for Large Workgroups
While the Xerox C235 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 C235 would not be able to safely print at the volume needed for businesses that print over its 1,500-page recommended monthly print volume.
If you’re a large workgroup and want a color multifunction printer option, you would want to look into machines like the Xerox VersaLink C605, VersaLink C7125 or the AltaLink C8135.
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Not the Best Option for Personal Use
If you’re looking to purchase a printer for personal use, then you likely won’t want to invest in the Xerox C235.
While you technically could buy the Xerox C235 as a personal printer, you would be better suited to purchase a printer from a retail store that will cost closer to the $100 range than the $500 range if you’re going to be using the printer for personal use only.
Xerox C235 Cost
As listed previously, the base cost of the Xerox C235 is around $550. 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 C235 a Good Fit for?
The Xerox C235 is a good fit for:
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Small-to-medium-sized businesses or home offices that need a color all-in-one printer that can efficiently print 1,500 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 C235 could be a good fit for you. Make sure to evaluate your printing goals and how much you need to use the printer before purchasing, though.
Who Is the Xerox C235 Not a Good Fit for?
The Xerox C235 is not a good fit for:
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Workgroups with a monthly print volume of over 1,500 pages.
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Those searching for a robust multifunction printer or a more cost-effective personal printer.
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Workgroups that only need a printer to print documents and not copy, scan or fax.
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Businesses or individuals that don’t 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.
Think the Xerox C235 Is Right for You?
The Xerox C235 can efficiently meet the needs of small workgroups or home offices that need a more permanent multifunction printer to handle their daily printing requirements.
However, the Xerox C235 will not be a fit for workgroups that print over 1,500 pages per month or for offices that need a printer only for printing purposes.
Those that need a printer for personal use or don’t require printing documents in color would also likely want to look at another machine.
Now that you’re at the end of this review, what now?
As mentioned in the introduction, we sell the Xerox C235 and can provide you with the machine if you’re sold on it being for you.
If you read through this and decided that this is not the right fit for you, that’s okay. We want to help you find a machine that will be worth your investment.
Whether you’re ready to purchase or not, reach out to us and let us take the stress of finding a new machine out of your hands.
