Q: HP Printer and macbook air

I am having a lot of problems getting my printer and my new macbook air to function together. One night they worked as long as I had them connected by a USB cable, but then the next morning they would not, and as far as wireless goes, they will not communicate at all. I have reinstalled the software and even followed HPs instructions for dealing with what must be done with the Mountain Lion update but they still will not cooperate. Are others having similar probs with printers and the macbook air or mountain lion? Would it help to buy a new printer from the apple store? Would that insure that they would get along and work together?