Lexmark Genesis S815 review

When you scan or copy anything, you’re prompted to select whether you want to add another page. The page you’re currently copying will be left in situ while you decide, and if you add any extra pages, they’ll automatically be duplexed on to the back of it, which is great for paper saving. Unfortunately, if the Genesis detects a paper jam or similar error while copying, it can leave you stuck on the ‘copying cancelled’ screen, with no way of returning to main menu.

In addition to the odd paper jam, the Genesis still suffers many of the problems of its plainer siblings. Print quality is acceptable in most instances, with sharp, dark text at normal quality settings and vivid, even colour prints. However draft text is pale, and both colour and mono copies are a little fuzzy. Print speeds are pretty good all round, with 15.2ppm draft test, 10.3ppm normal quality text and a reasonable colour text speed of 2.4ppm. A page of mono text costs only a little above average at 3.3p per page, but a mixed-colour page costs a whopping 9.5p.

We really wanted to like the Genesis – its stand-alone touchscreen interface is the best we’ve ever seen on a printer and a three-year warranty is always welcome. Unfortunately, with mediocre print quality, a low-resolution scanner and a tendency to jam, the hardware just isn’t up to the promise of the interface. Don’t forget the high price, either. Ultimately, the Canon Pixma MG6250 is cheaper and better.