You have to download itunes onto your computer in order to set the iPad up. It is just a software program that helps you manage your apps, movies, songs etc. Well worth doing and not hard at all to install. Once you have itunes on your computer you just plug in your iPad to your computer, register it and go from there. Once you do this, you can either just download everything from the ipad or your computer and sync it to the iPad.

Not sure I understand what your saying. So lets'say for instance I have to download itunes on my laptop first? Can that be done before I go buy another ipad? What is the website address?

I'm so dumb

I just bought one on Saturday, the sales person did the initial set up for me. I bought mine at Verizon. Here's the step by step instructions, hope it helps. Everything goes thru iTunes, for better or worse.

Here is a link that might be useful: iPad Intial Set Up

I pluged the iPad into my computer, iTunes 9.1 did not open nor the set up page on the ipad. . I did not get a welcome message, couldn't pull up anything.

Seems like ipad would cost more at Verizon, I paid $500 for the Walmart ipad. No one offered their services there though.

Open itunes first. Also I believe you have to charge the battery in the iPad first. Did you turn the iPad on? There should be step by step instructions with your iPad.

Sunshine: Is there an Apple store anywhere near you? The folks there will gladly walk you through the steps and answer any questions. You usually have to make an appointment, but I've never had a problem getting one even the next day.

Also, I've bought Apple products only at the Apple store. If you have one within an hour of you even, it doesn't make sense to go anywhere else, since it's quite unlikely WalMart will reach anywhere near the level of customer service that the Apple stores offer.

I haven't priced them out too closely because I need the support that comes with a warm body at Verizon. I could have bought one on the Apple refurbished store but it wasn't worth the $150 to me to do that. Mine is a Verizon 3G so I was a bit limited as to where I could buy it and I think the pricing is 'fixed'. Everywhere I looked the pricing for the one I bought was the same.

Pammyfay is so right, Apple does have great help, are you near a store? I wish I were! Go to the iTunes site and read thru the iPad info, download the program.

You will FIRST need to download iTunes10.5 or later version in order to get started. Set up your iTunes account. I just purchased one too for myself. Went straight to the book store and purchased one of the "dummie" series books. I chose the Senior version (3rd Edition) of the book since it seems to be written well and easy to understand. The book covers many options available for each setting or app.

I am reading through the first few chapters first to get a feel for what can be done with set-up, apps etc.

You need to update your iTunes - the newest version is 10.5

Make sure your iPad is fully charged, using the wall charger that came with it. Your iPad may not charge with the data cable that attaches it to the computer - some USB ports do not have enough power to charge your iPad - you must use the wall charger for charging.

NEVER unhook your iPad while it is "SYNCING"

You will need to set up your iTunes account. You must have an iTunes account in order to download any apps. It doesn't cost anything to have an iTunes account. You can buy iTunes cards to pay for any music or apps that aren't free. You never have to actually attach any credit card or other info like that if you strictly use iTunes cards.

I'm pretty sure the price of iPads is the same no matter where you purchase but you get great service at Apple and little/no service at Walmart. You can however get free service at the Apple store no matter where you bought it. Of course you have to be near an Apple store.

If you do have an Apple store close by, they'll do the set up for you and then maybe you'd like to sign up for the FREE ipad classes that are very enjoyable and easy going, not like school. You meet a nice variety of people, lots who are older, and learn so much that you'll never regret it. Good socializing too.

I will agree with all the Apple store recommendations. My problem is that we are 2 hours away from one.

If you do plan on going to an Apple store - make an appointment. Sometimes they are VERY busy - so if you have an appointment, you will get the help you need.

Also- Apple has replaced several iPods for us. So make sure you register your product - no matter what Apple product. They are TOPS in service!

I wondered if that book was worth it, thanks for that info Beausrose. I bought iPhone, the Missing Manual and it was great. I see that there is one for iPad2, I may get that as well.

None of the solutions make any sense to me.
The ipad was fully charged when I bought it..I pluged it into my laptop anyway to see about downloading itunes with the usb cable that came with it. Nothing happened and couldn't download the itunes software even on the Laptop.

Thanks to all of you for your help.

If I ever buy another ipad it will be from Best Buy as we have that store here and then someone could help set it up for me.

Do not connect your iPad to your laptop until you download iTunes to your laptop..

google; Apple iTunes to get the address

It really is easy to set up, step by step.

Thanks everyone.