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Yes, you could use iTunes on the PC to transfer the file. Can't you just email it to yourself on the iPad. You can use Apple's free iBooks app to read the PDF.
 
Can I do this directly by connecting my Ipad to my PC ?

Yes. You'll still need iTunes.

Next question is where do you want to import them. The iPad doesn't have a common file bucket so you have to import with the app you will use in mind. If you just want to dump them in iBooks, add them to your books library and select them off that sub screen of the iPad syncing.

If you want to use something like GoodReader, PDF annotate etc then you need to have the app on your iPad or in your iTunes app library and selected to sync to the iPad. Under the app selector you'll see a file sharing section.select the app in question and then the add button under the file box. Pick what you want to add and it will either be copied over (if the app is already on the iPad) or be added in the sync (if you need to install it during syncing)
 
A couple helpful ways

There are couple ways to transfer PDF files to your iPad. You can do it through iTunes using iBooks or you can email them to yourself and 'Open With...iBooks' if you do not want to connect your iPad.

If you are looking to move several, you should consider Google OneDrive or Dropbox. Place all the PDF files in Dropbox, open them on your iPad once they sync, no need for iTunes or to plug in your iPad.
 
I don't understand why Apple doesn't just give the iPad a USB port. I have an Android tablet that has one and to get multiple PDFs transfer is as simple as plug in the USB key, and copy and paste.

I've often thought about moving to Apple because of the high quality of the products, but I don't think I should have to install iTunes, email myself or first upload to a cloud server, just to read a PDF on my device. Until that changes I will have to stay with Android. PDFs are the most frequently used file format for me, so moving from a simple transfer system to a more complicated one is still a deal breaker.

Does anyone think that Apple, with increasing tablet competition will ever change their minds and add a USB port to the iPad?
 
I don't understand why Apple doesn't just give the iPad a USB port. I have an Android tablet that has one and to get multiple PDFs transfer is as simple as plug in the USB key, and copy and paste.

I've often thought about moving to Apple because of the high quality of the products, but I don't think I should have to install iTunes, email myself or first upload to a cloud server, just to read a PDF on my device. Until that changes I will have to stay with Android. PDFs are the most frequently used file format for me, so moving from a simple transfer system to a more complicated one is still a deal breaker.

Does anyone think that Apple, with increasing tablet competition will ever change their minds and add a USB port to the iPad?

No. Apple isn't going to ever add a USB port to the iPad.

1. Services like Dropbox are dead easy to use. Once you install it on your computer, you don't think of it as uploading files anymore. You just move or copy the files you want to share with your mobile device into the Dropbox folder. Same amount of work as copying the files to a USB drive, in fact one step less because you don't have to plug in the USB drive.

2. Sooner or later, wireless portable drives are going to be mainstream. Most other peripherals have already gone wireless. I expect USB ports to go the way of floppy drives, and Apple to be the first company to ditch USB ports from their computers. So no way is Apple ever going to add USB ports to iPad. Instead, they will be phasing it out from their computers.
 
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