New Ipad, network shares, office documents.

Your requirements are not ideal for iPad use.
You'll have No problem for Internet & Email, Reading Magazines and Books but the iPad starts to show its limitations when you want to WORK on MS Office documents .. in particular MS Access is not an option.
You'll have to use some form of Remote Access and work remotely on your Desktop (fast WiFi or 4G connection will be needed) as your ability to edit MS Office files on the iPad is limited.
There are several remote access options from VNC and LogMeIn apps to some RemoteDesktop apps (with varying levels of performance and functionality).
If you just want to view MS Office files you could use something like DropBox on your PC to share files with the iPad and view with GoodReader app or iWork apps on the iPad .. the limitations will come if you want to EDIT as there are very few options.

To conclude, as a browser, email and document viewer the iPad is excellent .. for WORKING on MS Office docs, spreadsheets the options are very few and for MS Access you will have to use Remote Desktop type solutions.  If this is a key requirement it is still hard to beat a small laptop or tablet with a full Windows OS running.

Thanks for the advice. Any idea how fast the new IPad would be using a remote desktop app with both the PC and IPad on a local wifi network?

Is it very easy working with documents like that through a remote desktop app or is it awkward? I have used the IPhone before and it was fine in a pinch but I would think the IPad is much better with a much bigger screen. I might get the keyboard for the IPad if I go that route.

Maybe I should wait and look at some Windows 8 tablets that come out but I think the IPad would be better from the personal use side, I am just trying to limit how many devices I need to buy.

Thanks for the info.