The Xerox C315 is a color multifunction printer (print, copy, scan and fax) that would be a good fit for small-to-medium-sized businesses or a home office setting.
But is it the right printer for you? How can you tell?
Our almost four decades in the printer/copier industry have taught us that education is the best resource for getting the right office printing equipment in place for you.
That’s why we create review articles of the products we sell, which are Xerox-branded. We want to use our expertise to help you become more knowledgeable and confident before investing in a printer.
The Xerox C315 costs around $800, meaning it’s not a purchase you should take lightly. Because buying the wrong machine can not only set you back financially but also impede on your daily operations.
This review will give you an unbiased and comprehensive look at the Xerox C315’s basic specifications, features, pros, cons, cost and a summary detailing who would be a good candidate for this machine and who wouldn’t.
Xerox C315 Basics
Let’s start with some general statistics and information about the Xerox C315 to help you get a feel for attributes like print speed, volume, resolution, size and cost:
Print Speed: Up to 35 pages per minute (ppm)
Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 80,000 pages
Recommended Monthly Print Volume: Up to 6,000 pages
Print Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi (dots per inch), 4800 image quality
First-Print-Out-Time: As fast as 7.9 seconds
First-Copy-Out-Time: As fast as 8.2 seconds
Base Model Dimensions: 17.4” x 23.1” x 18.2”
Base Model Weight: 60 pounds
Cost: Starting at around $800
For a look at the base model dimensions of the Xerox C315, see the picture below (courtesy of Xerox):
Xerox C315 Key Features
Now that we’ve gone over the machine’s basic specifications, let’s look at some of the main features that come with the Xerox C315:
Mobile Printing
The Xerox C315 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 C315’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 C315 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 C315’s security features include Confidential Print, Digitally Signed Firmware Updates, Login Restrictions, Protected USB Ports and Secure Password Reset, 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.
Because of heightened security concerns, 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 C315
You now know the specifications and features of the Xerox C315, so let’s get into two of the main pros of buying the Xerox C315:
1. Small and Reasonably Priced
The major advantage of the Xerox C315 is it’s a small color printer that can serve as a desktop or home office solution for an affordable price.
Weighing about 60 pounds with dimensions of 17.4” x 23.1” x 18.2,” the Xerox C315 will be able to fit in compact spaces and won’t take up much room in your workplace.
Considering printers can run into the thousand-dollar range, the Xerox C315 is a slightly cheaper printer than others (around $800), meaning it’s a more financially accessible option for those looking for a basic multifunction printer on a budget.
Although it is built as a smaller option, you can choose to include additional paper trays if you need more storage for your printer paper.
See the image below for what the Xerox C315 looks like with the extra paper trays included:
2. Permanent Solution for Small Workgroups
In addition to being a fairly inexpensive desktop multifunction printer, the Xerox C315 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 6,000 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 C315
Let’s now go to the other side and look at a couple of the main cons of the Xerox C315:
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Not an Option for Large Workgroups
While the Xerox C315 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 C315 would not be able to safely print at the volume needed for businesses that print over its 6,000-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 or Xerox VersaLink C7125.
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Not the Best Option for Personal Use
Individuals looking to purchase a printer for personal use would likely not want to invest in the Xerox C315.
While you technically could buy the Xerox C315 as a personal printer, you would be better suited to purchase a printer from a retail store like Staples or Office Depot that will cost closer to the $100 range than the $800 range if you’re going to be using the printer only on an as-needed basis.
If you like the look and features of Xerox machines, the best personal printer in their catalog would be the Xerox B225.
Xerox C315 Cost
As listed previously, the base cost of the Xerox C315 is around $800. 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 C315 a Good Fit for?
The Xerox C315 is a good fit for:
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Small-to-medium-sized businesses or home offices that need a color multifunction printer that can efficiently print 6,000 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 C315 could be for you. However, you will want to extensively evaluate your specific printing goals before purchasing.
Who Is the Xerox C315 Not a Good Fit for?
The Xerox C315 is not a good fit for:
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Workgroups with a monthly print volume of over 6,000 pages.
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Those searching for a printer that just prints documents or a printer for personal use only.
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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 C315 Is Right for You?
The Xerox C315 is an overall solid machine built to be a high-volume multifunction desktop option for small or medium-sized businesses and home offices.
It’s not, however, built for large workgroups that print over 6,000 pages per month or for individuals that need a personal printer. If you need a machine to just print documents, and not copy, scan or fax, then you also will want to look at another printer.
As authorized Xerox Platinum Status Partners, we are qualified to sell you the Xerox C315 if you think it’s the right machine for you.
If not, that’s okay: We want to help you find the machine that is better equipped for your situation.
Our goal at STPT is to help make office printing equipment the least of your worries in the workplace.
If you think the Xerox C315 is suitable 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.
