New iPad. No instructions. Help please.

Question

Before I rant let me say, I am a 25 years plus Mac user and advocate.
OK. Now, I just bought an iPad for my sister (part of my ongoing effort to get others using Apple stuff).
I opened the box and found absolutely no instructions - and could not use it at all unless I connected it to a Mac and fired up iTunes.
Q #1: what if I didn't have a Mac (my sister does not).
I got home with it, connected it to my Powerbook G4 and...nothing.
Then I connected it to my Mac Pro and iTunes went to work. I was prompted to update iPod to 4.2.
Eventually it was done and ready but...
Q #2: do I unplug it like I would my iPod?
Q #3: how do I get music on the iPad? Do I use my Mac's iTunes to transfer?
Now here's the big one -
Q #4: Now what? There is no guided tour or anything to help understand how to use this. And in the time it takes me to turn to my Mac looking for help, the iPad screen goes black. I don't know what to do except hit the Home button since touching the screen does nothing. And then when I do that, I see a slider that says "slide to unlock." I figure this is a screen saver setting but I can't find any such thing. I'm in Settings now but not finding much help...AND how do I get out of Settings other than hitting the Home button?
And so on.
Q #5: Where in *&#! are instructions/guided tour/help for this great product?
Seriously, yes, I am pretty annoyed, especially since this is a gift for someone who has 25 years less experience than me.
Done ranting. I apologize but do need some help.

Answer 1

Noodle-head wrote:
Before I rant let me say, I am a 25 years plus Mac user and advocate.
Great. this should be pretty painless for you.
OK. Now, I just bought an iPad for my sister (part of my ongoing effort to get others using Apple stuff).
I opened the box and found absolutely no instructions - and could not use it at all unless I connected it to a Mac and fired up iTunes.
The iPad must be synced to a computer in order to activate it and begin using it.
Q #1: what if I didn't have a Mac (my sister does not).
A Windows PC is fine as long as the system meets the requirements which you can find on Apple's website - click on iPad and you can find the info there.
I got home with it, connected it to my Powerbook G4 and...nothing.
It doesn't meet the minimum specs.
Then I connected it to my Mac Pro and iTunes went to work. I was prompted to update iPod to 4.2.
The Mac Pro is meeting the requirements and you obviously have the most current version of iTunes on it as well. The software update is a good thing!
Eventually it was done and ready but...
Q #2: do I unplug it like I would my iPod?
Yes, after you sync, you get the OK to disconnect message in iTunes just like with the iPod Click on the eject icon next to the device name.
Q #3: how do I get music on the iPad? Do I use my Mac's iTunes to transfer?
Yes you do. You sync selected songs, albums, playlists etc. via your iTunes library. And you can purchase music from iTunes directly on the iPad through the pre installed iTunes app.
Now here's the big one -
Q #4: Now what? There is no guided tour or anything to help understand how to use this. And in the time it takes me to turn to my Mac looking for help, the iPad screen goes black. I don't know what to do except hit the Home button since touching the screen does nothing. And then when I do that, I see a slider that says "slide to unlock." I figure this is a screen saver setting but I can't find any such thing. I'm in Settings now but not finding much help...AND how do I get out of Settings other than hitting the Home button?
You are doing the right thing. Tapping the home button will wake the iPad. Then you slide to unlock as described. In the iPad settings, you can select the length of time that the iPad is inactive before it goes to sleep. Tap settings on the home screen, then tap General, the tap Auto lock and you can select the length of time before the iPad locks and goes to the black screen.
And so on.
Q #5: Where in *&#! are instructions/guided tour/help for this great product?
Open the Safari app and click on the open book icon at the top. That is the bookmark icon. Go down the list and you will find the iPad user guide in there.
Seriously, yes, I am pretty annoyed, especially since this is a gift for someone who has 25 years less experience than me.
Don't be. Once you both get the hang of it you will love it!
Done ranting. I apologize but do need some help
You are forgiven. here is one last tip ....
http://support.apple.com/manuals/
You will find the manual here as well.Now get to work and have some fun as well!