Ipad How to Set Up Your iPad Quickly

The Setup: How to Set Up Your iPad Quickly

Setting up an iPad is quick and easy.

For tips on how to set up an iPad without connecting to a computer, check out our tutorial on how to set up an iPad wirelessly.

If you're just aching to give your freshly unboxed iPad a spin pronto like a certain, um, portable electronics writer did, here's the quickest way to do it.

First, download iTunes to your computer. If you already have iTunes, you need to make sure you update it to at least version 9.1 or it won't recognize your iPad (trust me, I tried it).

Once you've got iTunes all set up and launched, connect your iPad to your computer using the connector cable that comes with the device. Your iPad will be detected automatically and set up will begin.

Pick "Register Later" on the Welcome screen and make Apple's lawyers happy by agreeing to the user agreement. Log on to your iTunes account or create one if you don't have one. Just skip the MobileMe trial for now and you'll get to the sync screen and be faced with two choices.

At this time, it was more convenient for me to just restore backup from an 8GB iPod Touch than picking "Set Up as a New iPad." If you don't want to restore a backup or simply don't have one, just pick "Set Up as a New iPad" and choose your sync settings.

Once syncing is done, you'll get a message saying "iPad sync is complete. OK to disconnect." That means you're ready to go.

*Just in case you're wondering, one way to register if you skipped the process is to go to:https://register.apple.com/. You can find your iPad's serial number at the back of your device, towards the bottom part of the rear casing.