How to sync iPad with a new computer without loosing all my apps?

How did you end up resolving this? I'm experiencing the same thing.

This is one reason I hate Apple. What happens if your computer crashes? How in the world do you get your stuff from the Ipad to the new computer? I'm about ready to lose all of my settings. To make matters worse, Apple makes you sync before you can update the Ipad. Brilliant.

What happens if your computer crashes?

You use your backup. Brilliant huh.

You do backup your hardrive don't you?

Wow, you Apple lemmings are great. Yes, I do backup, brilliant of me, huh? Thanks for the productive input.

Are any of your really going to argue in favor of the requirement that you sync with one itunes account on one computer? If so, please enlighten me as to why this is a great idea. I love the iPad but hate that it is permanently tethered to itunes. In fact, the thing will not work without an itunes account. This is one reason I don't have an iphone and stick with android. The android acts as its own hard drive. It's very simple to save, backup and swap files with any computer.

But back to the issue at hand, what if one doesn't backup? Or if they did, the file was corrupt or the media they backed it to crashes? The fact that the ipad cannot stand on its own is ridiculous. By the way, I did restore my itunes folder but still get that notification that my ipad will be erased. I'm sure though that I've added some apps since the last sync. Are they going to be there when my ipad gets wiped out? How does one know what has been saved?

I love Apple products for its hardware but hate the software and all the control they have over it. If I lose my apps, then so be it. If there is any way around this, please let me know.

I won't bother arguing your points as it's obvious no amount of logic will work with you. The iPad is what it is because that's the way Apple deisgned it. Why they did it and whether we think it's right or wrong is pointless. It's a free market, consumers are not forced to purhcase their products.

If you didn't like the iPhone, why did you buy an iPad? It sounds as if the iPad is not for you. Sell it and buy and Android tablet... you'll be much happer. Good day.

I guess I nailed the lemmings comment. The ipad is what it is because that's the way Apple designed it???? Are you a shill for Apple? My comment was not to what Apple did or did not do but more to your smart a** comment about me backing up. That was a personal attack on me in response to my comment about the software design of the Apple product.

I told you I bought the ipad, because I love the hardware that Apple produces. I had an Iphone and again, loved it for the hardware aspect of it. But if you wanted to do anything outside their box, you were out of luck. I also had difficulty syncing my calendar and contacts because of the restrictions. I love my ipod. The ipod doesn't have the restrictions that the ipad does.

I guess there is no workaround so it is what it is. I will sync and cross my fingers that the backup went well. I'm also sorry I posted to an Apple forum. Or I guess if I do in the future, I am to simply sing its praises. Whew.

I understand your frustration and I dont like either arguments like "thats the way Apple designed it". A forum like this should provide feedback from users and that can be negative as Apple is not perfect (in many ways)

However I dont "hate" Apple or any other brand for flaws in their products. I just make up my mind and decide for my next shopping tour. So far I mostly came back to Apple ;-)

Indeed the iPad is not designed as temporary backup device, if you attach to a new computer this machine will be the (backup) master, if its empty your iPad will be erased. Thus any "sync" has to be done between the computers before and only after that you can re-sync your iDevice.

And for the "inside the Apple universe box" argument. I think this is the simple reason that Apple is so successful with this concept. I do a lot of work on PCs, Linux Workstation, all very complex systems. Then "playing" with my "constrained" iToys is such a relief to see technology simply working. I regret the limitations but the advantages of this simplicity concept are just convincing enough.

Thank you for considering my frustration and giving me a productive reply to my question.

I agree, there is something to be said with things just working. However, Apple does have its problems as well. For example, I understand there are problems with the wireless on the iPad. I have experienced it from time to time but it hasn't been that pervasive. But overall, I agree, Apple works better than pc in many respects. I am a pc person though as that is what I am familiar with.

I do agree that overall, apple is a fine product. This syncing feature just happens to be one of the things I absolutely hate about it. I was stunned that anyone would jump on me about saying that. Unbelievable.

Believe it or not, I'm actually considering buying a mac book air. Then I will get rid of the ipad. I really prefer having a keyboard to a tablet anyway. Since you are a mac person, I do have a question. If I get rid of the ipad, does the macbook or mac's operating system support the ipad apps? Like words with friends and such.

Thanks again.

iPad vs MacBookAir? Despite the fact that Apple with its latest OSX 10.7 ("Lion") is trying to mimic the iOS for their computers (I still dont see the point in doing this) iOS (i.e. iPhone, iPad) and OSX (i.e MacBookPro, MacPros...) are still two different operation systems thus your iPad Apps will not work on a MacBookAir.

Of course the usual stuff like MS Word, Sozial Network Apps etc.. are available on OSX but you need to buy again.

I am thinking to add a Bluethooth Keyboard with a case shell to my iPad thus it would be a small constrained Netbook giving me 10h Battery Life! I am not aware of any classical Netbook (Mac or PC) who would beat this number and its an important feature for me.

The MacBookAir is extremly sexy ;-) but something in-between a "real" laptop and an iPad. It lacks a lot of connectors, for me not an option.