Check the Specs
When you have narrowed down your choices, check the specs on the box for compatibility with your PC’s operating system, especially if you use Windows XP or earlier Windows systems. Printer manufacturers gear their latest products toward the latest Windows version, so currently most of them are designed for Windows 7 and Vista compatibility.
If a wireless printer is a must for your work environment, choose one that will serve all the PCs in your home or small business network via wireless modem. If you plan to use your printer at home while connected to your work PC via a remote desktop application, make sure that the printer you purchase works compatibly with the operating systems on your work and home PCs.
Other Functional Options
You should look for other specs that may be important for your specific printer applications to ensure that the device is going to answer all your needs. One useful way to compare the numerous functions of your top three models is to compare them side by side on an office supply website that sells several kinds.
Some of the printing functions that might make a difference in your use of a printer include automatic duplexing–two-sided printing; enlargement or reduction of an original document; and the resolution–measured in dpi or dots-per-inch–of both black and color documents that the printer can produce and fax.
source:
http://www.computertips.com/printing-tips/