I have a new iPad Air, but my iTunes won't recognise the new device when plugged into my laptop, what do I do?

Have you updated your iTunes? The air should come with iOS7 on it, which means you need at least iTunes 11

iPad not appearing in iTunes

http://www.apple.com/support/ipad/assistant/itunes/

iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Mac OS X

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1591

iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1538

iTunes for Windows: iTunes can't contact the iPhone, iPad, or iPod software update server

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1814

iTunes for Windows: Device Sync Tests

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4235

IOS: Syncing with iTunes

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386

Apple - Support - iPad - Syncing

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

iTunes 10.5 and later: Troubleshooting iTunes Wi-Fi Syncing

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts4062

 Cheers, Tom 😉