I use a PC as my main computer, but an iPad for travelling, so either e-mail what I want to have with me on the iPad, and then either keep it as an e-mail on the pad, or if a single page then take a screenshot - press the button on the side and the button on the top at the same time - then view them in "photos", or ... I have purchased a Kingston Mobil-lite gadget. This sends a WiFi signal that can be detected by the iPad WiFi option, and then I plug a USB memory stick into the Mobil-lite, and am able to read anything on the stick on the iPad.
Unfortunately one can't send data back to the stick from the iPad, nor edit the files you have put on the stick, but at least you can read them.
Helps a little, otherwise Apple have you by the goolies, as has been said.