sync on different computer

[marine2008]

my wife recently bought me a ipad 2 and sent it to me to afghanistan. Is there any way i can add music and movies from my laptop without losing any of my apps that she bought me when she first got the ipad. She synced it with her laptop originally then sent it to me. If i connect it to my laptop will it sync with my itunes and delete all my apps. All i want to do is to add music and videos. NEED HELP ASAP!!!!!

 

[sjleworthy]

you can manually sinc music and vids. you dont need a full sync every time you want individual stuff. there's a manual sync button in itunes to press on the ipad front page.

also, if you do sync and loose apps you can always re-download them for free.

 

[marine2008]

ok im going to try it thanks and the problem is that i dont have wifi here in afghanistan so if i lose the apps i have to wait till i get home but im going to try it and see what happens. Thanks for your help

 

[twerppoet]

Here is Apple's recommendations on how to transfer all your stuff to a new iPhone. With a few modifications it works very well for moving your iPad to a new computer. Wish I could find one as well written for the actual task.

How to back up your data and set up as a new device

Start by going into iTunes Preferences (before connecting the iPad) and turning off auto-sync. It is under the Devices tab. This will prevent any unwanted syncing before you are ready.

Do only the parts that apply to your information/situation (i.e.; if you are syncing contacts with Google, don't do the Personal Information Manager part. Stop when you get to the Restore step.

It would be wise, after the Transfer Purchases option to go through iTunes and make sure everything (media, app, book) got transferred. If not you may have a few more steps to insure all your stuff gets safely backed up on the computer.

NOTE: If you have picture albums in the Photos app, and they are not backed up somewhere other than the iPad, you need to save them first before doing anything else. The first sync will remove them. The PhotoSync app works well for this, and you can use it before starting any of the other procedures.

The quality of the pictures recovered this way will probably not match the originals. iTunes optimized photos for viewing on the iPad when it syncs them.