There is a notes app that it syncs with on the Mac.
If your on windows, if you have an exchange email account or mobile me account notes can be synced to that account and will be pushed out to all other devices instantly.
I think gmail now let's you use your gmail as an exchange account. Do a google search about it.
If you don't need to edit them on the iPad, just use Goodreader. You can then drag and drop in iTunes, or do what I do and use dropbox for cloud storage..... Goodreader will do text, PDF and word doc and excel....