Just got this iPad 2 last weekend. Had a Mac Pro and a ipod since June last year. Been a PC user for a long, long time. The iPad is slick to use, but am searching to solve some drawbacks. Need a word pro app or means to save attachments to read later. Great for a travelling device. We do some travels and in summers pull our RV around. Pretty well enjoy any of the outdoor activities.
Many forum members (disclaimer: I am one of them) have found the app Goodreader ($4.99, USD) to be an excellent app to use in conjunction with the Mail app. If you get an attachment, you can press and hold it to get an "Open In..." dialog box. If you've installed Goodreader, it is one of the apps that will appear in that box.
Then, the iPad/Goodreader will save that attachment within the Goodreader app for reading at that time or for reading later (it won't be gone from Goodreader until you delete it).
Goodreader works great at reading Word files, PDFs ... plus it can open various picture files such as PNG or JPG. It has many more functions - if you're interested, take a look at its description in the App Store. It is one of my favorite apps. As, again, many have noted, it is the "Swiss Army Knife" of apps.
Good luck, happy traveling and welcome to the forum!
Marilyn