Review: Lexmark Genesis all-in-one wireless printer

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Lexmark's new Genesis all-in-one wireless printer features a unique monolithic design that integrates a scanner, a fax, a colour inkjet printer and copier in a smart, standalone device. With impressive features like 3 second page scanning, 4.3" inch touchscreen LCD, SmartSolution apps, iPhone and iPad integration and wireless networking, we put the Lexmark Genesis to the test.

Unlike any other multi-functional printer we've seen before, the Lexmark Genesis ($399  from Future Shop) is an upright  block of shiny plasticc that looks more like a modern art sculpture than an office appliance. Based on the size, specs and feature set - the Lexmark Genesis is perfect for small office, home office environments and would work well as an executive's personal all-around printer, scanner, fax and copier. The Genesis also incorporates a USB port and an SDCard slot for quick printing from these storage devices.

Interestingly, the Lexmark Genesis may seem striking but is clearly designed around function. It is a space-saving all-in-one that has half the footprint of other models we've seen and tested. It can pass for a standalone laser printer until you realize that it houses a vertically positioned scanner.

Unboxing and Set up

It takes around 10 minutes to unbox and set up the Lexmark Genesis. Getting the shiny and rather bulky all-in-one printer out of the box, unwrapping and installing the ink cartridges (read the instructions, we didn't and we got ink all over our hands) then setting up the wireless network access.

Set-up is painless and dead easy. Lexmark clearly designed this to be a standalone device requiring no PC connection and it is refreshing to just set-it and go with no wires, no archaic installers or drivers. Everything runs through the touchscreen which is well laid out with clear icons and logical step-by-step instructions.

Function and connectivity

We were able to "find" the Lexmark Genesis with our MacBook Air quite quickly and through Apple's Bonjour network service, we had the required drivers downloaded and set-up in no time.

One thing that is easy to miss is how quiet the device is when printing which we appreciated when we had to print out a number of pages in our apartment late at night.

We were also delighted to find out that we could use our iPad and iPod Touch devices to print out photos and webpages using the free LexPrint app.

With the LexPrint app installed and using Wi-Fi, the iPad found the Genesis within seconds and we were printing within a minute. The Lexmark Genesis may just be the printer for our modern, multi-device, wireless households and home offices. Not only does it work efficiently it adds a whole new dimension of functionality to these mobile devices. 

The best thing about it is the ease of use, finding the Lexmark Genesis is just as easy as clicking a button and waiting for the Genesis to appear as an available printer.

Priniting from the iPad to the Lexmark Genesis is fun....and freeWith smartphones and tablets increasing in use and functionality, the capability for them to print out documents is a key feature. 

A lot of it has to do with software and Lexmark has made wireless printing from non-PC devices straightforward and yes, fun.

Since it is a web-enabled printer, you can get additional widgets for the Genesis from SmartSolutions which add weather apps and the sort to the experience.

Other Lexmark Genesis features are as follows.

• Intuitive easy-to-navigate 4.3" color LCD touch screen
  For easy operation and Web navigation.
• 4-in-1 functionality
  Prints, copies, scans and faxes with 1 easy touch. Save up to 50% on paper with automatic 2-sided printing.
• Flash Scan Technology
  Go from document to digital in as little as 3 seconds. Actual scan time may vary based on factors such as PC performance and operating system use of wireless connections.
• Network-ready with built-in wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n)
  For simple connection to your home or office network.
• Color resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi and black resolution up to 2400 x 1200 dpi
  To produce clear, vibrant images.
• Built-in memory card slots
  To save documents and images. Slots support Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity, miniSD, microSD, xD-Picture Card, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and Memory Stick Duo formats.
• PictBridge compatible
  For direct printing from many popular digital cameras.
• Copies up to 25 cpm* in black, up to 21 cpm* in color
  To generate copies quickly.
• Copy resolution up to 4800 x 1200 dpi in color, up to 2400 x 1200 dpi in black
  For clear, clean copies.
• Flatbed scanner with 48-bit color
  Plus a scan resolution up to 300 x 300 dpi to reproduce exact colors.
• On-screen low-ink alert
  Notifies you when ink cartridges need to be replaced.
• *Print speeds vary with use. See manufacturer for info on print speeds.
• High-speed fax with 33.6 Kbps modem and up to 99-page fax memory
  To meet all your office needs. Color faxing to and from color fax machines.
• USB 2.0 connectivity
  For simple connection to your computer.
• Prints up to 33 ppm* in black, up to 30 ppm* in color
  To generate documents quickly.
• Warranty
  1 year limited warranty plus 2 years extended limited warranty by registering within 90 days. See statement of Limited Warranty for details.

With unique styling and simple yet powerful features and economical wireless printing solutions. The Lexmark Genesis is a new class of general-use office and home printer that is unobtrusive, wirelessly competent and happy to interact with smartphones and tablets provided they are made by Apple.

Rating 5 out of 5

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