There are many factors to take into account when shopping for a printer. For the most part, any new printer will communicate through USB (the ‘U’ in this acronym stands for Universal) so should be compatible with most computers. Those with Apple computers and others with older Windows operating systems may want to confirm that their choice will install on their computer.Here are the main questions that you need to ask yourself:What do I want the printer to do for me?Are you looking for just the print function, or would you want scan/copy or fax features? The scan and copy features are synonymous, so if you want one, you get the other, as they essentially do the same thing. The difference being, the scanner copies a document and digitises it as a file on the computer, and the copy feature prints a copy directly to paper. The fax feature is still a requirement for some users but is typically found on printers aimed at office use as opposed to consumer class printers.Do I want a laser or Inkjet printer?Inkjet and laser printers both have drawbacks and advantages. Inkjet printers are initially quite inexpensive, more compact with good quality colour print but the cost per page to print is very high. Laser printers are more robust, faster print (more pages per minute ppm) and relatively much better cost per page, but they can be big and bulky, initial cost of the printer itself is considerably more especially when you need colour printing.What features am I looking for?With inkjet printers, you will find the selection of printer models available can be a little confusing, as they all seem to do the same thing. Some printers will be suited for general-purpose home use, while others will have particular features that make them best suited for a specific purpose. Media card readers and colour display screens enable the digital photographers to preview and edit images directly from their camera media card, and print without connecting to a computer. Automatic Document Feeders (ADF) enable home office/office users to scan/copy/fax multiple documents with ease. More and more you will find the industry is moving to the wireless and networking features and now even e-printing. These features enable the sharing of printers among multiple computers, wirelessly and even from overseas with devices such as cell phones and tablets that you normally would not be able to print from, where all you need is a connection to the Internet.What manufacturer should I choose?It is very important that you ask questions about serviceability, warranty and availability of parts and supplies for the printer you purchase. A little online investigation is always recommended before making your decision.Todd Martin is the Retail Manager at Computer City.