If you are shopping for a black-and-white multifunction printer for a small office, two names come up again and again: the Xerox VersaLink B225 and the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw. Both print, scan, copy, and connect to your network. Both are built for workgroups, not home desks. But they are not the same machine, and the right choice depends on how your office actually prints.
We sell both brands, so we have no horse in this race. Here is the honest breakdown.
| Xerox VersaLink B225 | HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw | |
|---|---|---|
| Print speed | Up to 36 ppm (letter) | Up to 42 ppm (letter) |
| Print resolution | 600 x 600 dpi (1200 image quality) | Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi |
| First page out | As fast as 6.4 seconds | As fast as 6.3 seconds (A4) |
| Paper input | 250-sheet tray + 50-sheet ADF | 100-sheet tray 1 + 250-sheet tray 2 + 50-sheet ADF |
| Monthly duty cycle | Up to 30,000 pages | Up to 80,000 pages (750 to 4,000 recommended) |
| Fax | No | Yes |
| Display | Simple interface | 2.7-inch colour touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB; AirPrint, Mopria, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth; AirPrint, Mopria, Wi-Fi Direct |
| High-yield toner | 6,000 pages (006R04401) | 9,500 pages (HP 148X) |
(Specifications from Xerox and HP product documentation. Pricing changes often, so check current pricing on Xerox printers and HP printers.)
On raw speed, the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw is the faster machine: up to 42 pages per minute against the B225's 36. In a busy office where three people are waiting on the printer at 9 a.m., that gap is noticeable over a long print run.
For lighter use, though, the difference shrinks. Both machines deliver their first page in just over six seconds, so single-page jobs feel equally snappy. If your team prints in short bursts rather than 200-page reports, speed alone should not decide this for you.
The HP advertises up to 1200 x 1200 dpi while the Xerox prints at 600 x 600 dpi with 1200 image quality enhancement. In practice, both produce crisp text documents, sharp invoices, and clean contracts. Neither is a photo printer, and neither pretends to be. For standard office output, call this one a tie.
The Xerox B225 keeps it simple: one 250-sheet tray plus a 50-sheet automatic document feeder for scanning and copying. That covers most small offices comfortably.
The HP adds a 100-sheet multipurpose tray on top of its 250-sheet main tray, and it accepts an optional 550-sheet third tray. If your office burns through paper or wants to keep letterhead loaded separately from plain paper, the HP's expandability is a genuine advantage. The 50-sheet ADF on both machines handles everyday scan and copy jobs equally well.
This is where many buyers stop comparing, and they shouldn't. The purchase price is a one-time cost. Toner is forever.
The B225 takes Xerox toner in three sizes: standard (1,200 pages), high capacity (3,000 pages), and extra high capacity (6,000 pages). The HP 4101fdw takes the HP 148A (about 2,900 pages) and the high-yield HP 148X (9,500 pages). Bigger cartridges almost always mean a lower cost per page, so ask your supplier to quote the high-yield options for both and do the division: cartridge price divided by page yield.
One caution that applies to both: page yields are measured at about five percent coverage per page, roughly a standard business letter. If you print dense reports with heavy graphics, real-world yield will be lower. Our cost per page guide walks through the full calculation.
The HP includes fax, which still matters in legal, medical, and real estate offices. It also has a larger colour touchscreen and Bluetooth setup. The Xerox counters with a simpler interface that non-technical staff tend to find less intimidating, plus access to Xerox Workflow Central apps for offices that want scan-to-cloud workflows.
Security is solid on both: each offers access controls, confidential print, and firmware protection suitable for handling sensitive documents. Both are ENERGY STAR certified as well, so neither will punish your power bill.
Choose the Xerox VersaLink B225 if: your office prints up to a couple thousand pages a month, you want a straightforward machine that staff can use without training, and you like Xerox's toner pricing in the high-yield sizes. It is the uncomplicated workhorse pick.
Choose the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw if: you need more speed, you want fax built in, your paper needs might grow into a third tray, or your monthly volume pushes past what a compact machine should handle. It is the pick for busier offices with room to grow.
There is no universal winner here, and any review that crowns one is selling something. The HP is faster and more expandable. The Xerox is simpler and typically easier on the budget up front. Match the machine to your monthly volume and your team's habits, run the toner math on high-yield cartridges, and you will end up with the right printer.
Still torn? Tell us how much your office prints in a month and what is driving you crazy about your current machine. We will point you at the right one, even if it is the cheaper of the two.
Compare current pricing and availability on the Xerox VersaLink B225 and the HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw.