Android works very similar to you iPad. IMAP, POP3 even MS Exchange email can all be accessed after being set up in the stock email program. I sync my personal ISP email using POP3 and my company's email via ActiveSync/Exchange which works beautifully. I don't think setting up your email will be any different from the set up on the iPads.
Additionally there are some very nice apps (I understand - I haven't used them as stock works perfectly well for me), that folks rave about here.
Go get a N7 I am sure you will love it, and you will find the email works at least as well if not better on the N7 as it does on the iPad.