What Do You Need to Use an iPad?

Congratulations! You’ve selected one of the most incredible handheld devices ever seen. Of course, the iPad is a combination of a killer audio and video iPod, an e-book reader, a powerful Internet communications device, a superb handheld gaming device, a still and video camera (iPad 2 only), and a platform for over 425,000 apps.

To actually use your iPad, only a few simple things are required. Here’s a list of everything you need:

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  A computer: This can be either a Macintosh running Mac OS X version 10.5.8 or later, or a PC running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP Home or Professional Edition with Service Pack 3 or later. That’s the official word from Apple anyway.

  
  

  The iCloud service has somewhat higher requirements: Mac OS X Lion (10.7) or higher for Macs; or Windows Vista or Windows 7 for PCs.

  
  


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  iTunes software: More specifically, you need version 10.5 or later of. Apple constantly tweaks iTunes to make it better. Because Apple doesn’t supply iTunes software in the box, head to www.itunes.com/download to fetch a copy.

  
  

  Or, launch your current version of iTunes and then choose iTunes (Help in Windows)→Check for Updates.

  
  


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  An Apple ID account: Like most things Apple, the process isn’t difficult.

  
  


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  Internet access: Your iPad can connect to the Internet in either of two ways: Wi-Fi or 3G (if you bought an iPad with 3G capabilities and connect to a 3G service). You can connect your iPad to cyberspace via Wi-Fi in your home, office, school, favorite coffeehouse, bookstore, or numerous other spots.

  
  

  A 3G (third-generation) wireless data connection is available from many carriers in countries too numerous to mention; in the United States you can choose between AT&T and Verizon Wireless.

  
  

  Finally, unlike the cellphone contract you may have with AT&T or Verizon (or most every other cellular carrier), no long-term service commitment is required to connect your iPad to the network.

  
  

2GB of cellular service is more than enough for lower-bandwidth tasks such as web surfing and checking your e-mail. If, on the other hand, you like to slurp down prodigious amounts of video over the 3G network, your monthly allotment will disappear in mere days and you’ll find yourself in penalty mode, which may cost $10 a gigabyte.

Find a Wi-Fi network if you want to buy, rent, or watch movies.

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/what-do-you-need-to-use-an-ipad.html