Does Activation Lock really stop someone from using a stolen iPad?

By all reports, yes, activation lock works superbly at rendering a device useless. Any attempt to restore and re-activate it gets nowhere without the previous owners AppleID password. If someone cannot activate it, they cannot install anything on it, set up cellular or wifi service, nothing - they have a brick in their hands.

If you ever wipe your iPad, do not remove it from your account. This will prevent anyone from re-activating your iPad.

Tap to enlarge.

Is turning off "Find My Iphone" the same as removing the device from the Cloud app? Thanks

If the iPad was running iOS 7, the thief/finder will not ever be able to use it.

iCloud: Find My iPhone Activation Lock in iOS 7

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5818

Apple (and no one else) can not assist (with serial number or iCloud) in finding a lost or stolen iPad.

Report to police along with serial number. Change all your passwords.

These links may be helpful.

How to Track and Report Stolen iPad

http://www.ipadastic.com/tutorials/how-to-track-and-report-stolen-ipad

Reporting a lost or stolen Apple product

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2526

What to do if your iOS device is lost or stolen

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5668

iCloud: Locate your device on a map

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2698

iCloud: Lost Mode - Lock and Trace

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2700

iCloud: Remotely Erase your device

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH2701

Report Stolen iPad Tips and iPad Theft Prevention

http://www.stolen-property.com/report-stolen-ipad.php

How to recover a lost or stolen iPad

http://ipadhelp.com/ipad-help/how-to-recover-a-lost-or-stolen-ipad/

How to Find a Stolen iPad

http://www.ehow.com/how_7586429_stolen-ipad.html

What NOT to do if your iPhone or iPad is lost or stolen

http://www.tomahaiku.com/what-not-to-do-if-your-iphone-or-ipad-lost-or-stolen/

Apple Product Lost or Stolen

http://sites.google.com/site/appleclubfhs/support/advice-and-articles/lost-or-st olen

Oops! iForgot My New iPad On the Plane; Now What?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303459004577362194012634000.html

If you don't know your lost/stolen iPad's serial number, use the instructions below. The S/N is also on the iPad's box.

How to Find Your iPad Serial Number

http://www.ipadastic.com/tutorials/how-to-find-your-ipad-serial-number

iOS: How to find the serial number, IMEI, MEID, CDN, and ICCID number

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4061

 Cheers, Tom 😉

Yes.

Yes, if on the device itself, you go into your iCloud account settings and disable find my iphone (you will be prompted for your iCloud password to do so), that is the same thing. It disables Activation Lock.

This is what he'll see when he turn on your iPad (tap to enlarge)

If the person wants to call you, he'll probably do it with 2 or 3 days; after that you can say good bye to your iPad.

Why iCloud “Find My iPhone” iOS 7 Activation Lock Has Failed

http://harvestcellular.net/icloud-find-iphone-ios-7-activation-lock-failed/

 Cheers, Tom 😉

1. If the iPad is passcode protected, he/she will not be able to unlock iPad

2. Even if he/she can remove the passcode lock using Recovery Mode, he/she will not be able to activate it

3. If iPad cannot connect to network, he/she will not receive your phone number and you cannot remote wipe the iPad

4. The iPad at the end of the day is still useless to whoever stole it.