Restoring as a new device requires a LOT of work, as I have many settings established (I did a password-protected encrypted backup of my 4S). Since iTunes did not work, but appeared to have restored all of my settings and data, but not the apps, I just went into the App Store and then to the section that shows my Apps. I just started with the ones I use the most, and set those to download (without deleting them on my device but leaving them in the "waiting" state - if you delete them then you lose data and settings). I started this morning around 4am. Now, at 7:30am and after driving an hour to work, I have almost everything back -- without having to remember passwords / settings / wifi networks, etc. Plus, after doing this, I can easily see there are some apps I wasn't using much anyway, so I will probably delete those.
I think I will start using iCloud for backup as iTunes is just too unreliable. Heck, the last time I restored my iPhone 4S was 3 years ago! No, that's not right...cause I didn't have an iPhone before the 4S. So I started that device fresh. The last time I backed it up was yesterday before getting my 6+. After I get everything set up as I want it, I will create a backup of my 6+ to both the PC and to iCloud. I don't expect to need to use either for another 3 years which means I probably will not use them at all.