I was out shopping over this past weekend and while out and about I stopped into a Verizon Wireless store and thought to check on their inventory, or potential inventory, of iPads.  I've been considering and somewhat planning to buy a Verizon Wireless iPad 2 64GB 3G unit (either Black or White, didn't really care which one) but was also well informed enough to know that the chances of units being in stock and available for immediate purchase were likely pretty low.  Sure enough the store didn't have any iPad 2's in stock, but they did have stock of the original iPads (iPad 1) in Wi-Fi models.  Reportedly they only had some 64GB units, but they definitely had some available for their old combo offer -- buy the iPad with the Verizon Wireless Mi-Fi device and completely avoid any required (contracted) commitment period.  Verizon's original answer to the AT&T original 3G iPads (back when Verizon and Apple weren't quite as cozy as they are now).

Seeing a chance to snag one of the Mi-Fi devices in the bundle and knowing that I'm just fine with the original iPad that I still have (64GB Wi-Fi unit) and not really all that rushed about replacing it, I figured I could just buy a new unit and give it to my daughter, who was supposed to be getting my old unit as a hand-me-down.  I could then pair that Mi-Fi with my laptop, my iPad, both, and even include the use of that device for my daughter's iPad if desired.  No contract to boot.  What's not to like?

Uh, how about the relatively poor documentation that comes with the device.  Seriously the quick start/quick reference manual could use some work.  What do the different colors on the power button and/or power indicator mean?  No clue from looking at the documentation.  Where's the VZ Access Manager software that is promised -- a disc is mentioned, but no disc is included in the package?!!?  Oh, wait, the device itself actually has a "disc" built-in on it and that's where the software is.  Ingenious really, but still where's the details in the documenation?!  Uh, maybe it's there but it sure wasn't clear to me.

Seriously, I was fuming in trying to figure out how to work with the device given the less than really useful documentation.

I realize that I might not be an ordinary techy, but I do look at documentation and try to follow it when possible.  I'd like to avoid breaking expensive toys, so knowing what the different color lights meant and how to tell the device was charging and such, good idea.

The other issue was figuring out where to get the VZ Access Manager software from and getting it installed so I could see my account details and confirm what I'm paying for service, be able to suspend the service as necessary, etc.  Since I only need the service for a month (for now), I don't want to find out later that Verizon thinks I'm on the hook for a contract.  The only issue there was again getting the VZ Access Manager software installed so I could receive the information that would help me set a password for my account.  Argh.  Once I put the software on my laptop and connected the device to it the rest was easy.  Heck, it might have been really easy if not for the fact that I try to keep my systems somewhat secured so that I don't run code from devices/discs I happen to connect.  Yay security, boo Verizon for not making it obvious that the device contained the software on it -- again a failing of the documentation.

I really wish that the people that wrote the manual would have to use their own documentation to learn how to use the device.  Perhaps they'd get a better document/manual written that way