The Alternative
iPF Noob
I'm coming from the exact same place. My iPad2 is my first Apple product as well.
I was also surprised by the lack of system utilities but I think the basic idea behind that is that Apple believes that users should not have to manage/tweak the OS in any way or form except for the sparse setting that are available in options. In order to achieve some more control and ability to tweak I think You have to Jailbreak the device.
I have not done that yet. I have promised myself that I would give Apple the benefit of the doubt. Therefore I'm just enjoying carefree use of the iPad accepting that things are as they are and that for a large part of my needs they can be covered with an app. (the richness of apps in the App Store was after all the reason I went with the iPad in the first place)
Totally untrue! Apple allows the user to choose their own apps (sytem utilities or otherwise) based on their own needs. Rather than cramming the iPad full of a ton of unneeded software that you may never use they allow you to purchase (at cut-rate prices I might add) and download what you feel you'd like to use or that you feel you need. No $200 office production suites, no $30 spyware software, no yearly subscription for virus protection, etc. Just a device built the way you want it.