How can I create iPad clones?

You can set up yopur iPad as desired, right click on it in the device list in iTunes on your computer and choose to backup. This will create a manual backup of your device containing all settings and data. More info here:

iTunes: About iOS backups

After that, connect the new device, let iTunes set it up and choose to restore your data from the manual backup made from your "master iPad".

If you're using a Mac, there is a free app from Apple called "Apple Configurator" in the AppStore for OSX Lion, which does this for you as well.

Message was edited by: Ingo2711

JTChal wrote:

I want to create multiple clones of a model iPad (primarily app and app placement).

Also, if in fact the iCloud is NOT AN OPTION for what I am trying to accomplish, is it true that I can make a backup of my model iPad in iTunes on a computer, and then plug in the subsequent iPads to restore from that backup?

Yes you can use iTunes. I do it that way when restoring from a backup.

When you restore from the backup - you restore all of the contents of the backup onto the iPad. You do not restore everything that you own in your Apple ID iTunes account. You will restore only what is on the iPad at the time that the backup was created. You will also have to sync your apps and other media back onto the iPad when you restore from the iTunes backup.

How to create a backup and restore from the backup.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1766

No you are not necessarily syncing all of the apps back when you restore from the backup.

The backup contains app data and device settings. The backup does NOT contain apps, music, synced photos, movies and any other media. So when you restore the new iPads from the backup of the "model" iPad that you want to clone, you still need to sync the iPad with iTunes in order to put the apps on the device.

You should also make sure that your iTunes library is current and up to date with the contents of the "model" iPad that you want to clone. You should transfer the purchases from the iPad into iTunes, back the iPad up and sync one last time. After that, you can begin the process of restoring the other iPads from the backup of the "model" iPad and then sync with iTunes.

The bottom line is that you want to make the "model" iPad and your iTunes library up to date before you start setting up the other iPads.

Transfer purchases.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848

How to backup

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766

You may also want to check out the Apple Configurator from this page.

http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/enterprise/

iTunes will remember the settings for each device and sync and update only what's already on the iPad.

As Ingo2711 states above, iTunes will Remeber the sync configuration.

Connect the iPad to the computer and launch iTunes.

Click on the iPad name on the left side under devices.

Click on the Apps Tab on the right.

Click on all of the apps that you want to sync, uncheck all of the apps that you do not want to sync

Click on the Sync Apps Heading.

Click on Apply in the lower right corner of iTunes

You may also want to uncheck the box that says - Sync New Apps Automatically - under the apps list.