A new iPad needs to be plugged into your PC or Mac initially and you must have the latest Apple iTunes software installed on that PC or Mac. There is absolutely no way around this initial step. If you don't have the latest version of iTunes, you can download it for free from the Apple website. If you don't have access to a Mac or PC, then any Apple Store will do this for you.
This step will initialise your iPad and transfer your email settings, contacts and other files from your PC to the iPad. It takes only a couple of minutes but saves a whole load of time subsequently - you won't have to manually set up your email etc.
Tim
yes, first off you need to plug your device into a computer running an up to date version of itunes.
but i got a question about something you said, specifically....
This step will initialise your iPad and transfer your email settings, contacts and other files from your PC to the iPad.
eh? this didn't happen for me. not manually or automatically.
after initialising my device my contacts list on my ipad2 is currently empty and my 3 or 4 email settups i had to do manually from scratch. i have synced over some apps, vids and music, but nothing else has gone over.
which beckons the questions, where would my pc get my contacts and email info from in the first place to copy it over? how would the pc know?