Can I use multiple Android devices with a single Google account? Surprisingly I haven't found a satisfactory answer for this in a FAQ somewhere or anything.

I have a Motorola Droid (with froyo, if it matters)
I am thinking about getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Pretty simple question:
What will happen if I attach the same google account to the tablet?

What I do not want to happen is for the new device to automatically download all of the same apps from my phone, especially the ones that don't make sense on a Wifi-only non-phone device.  And especially if the installed apps on both devices need to always stay synchronized.

What I want is to be able to sync contacts, gmail, calendar, etc, on both devices.



Bonus Question

It would be nice if my paid apps were available for re-download on the new device, but that isn't even necessary. So I was thinking about creating a new google account just for the sake of apps on the new device, and adding my gmail account as a "secondary" on the tablet.  So, the bonus question is: would this option be a better plan (if it would work at all)?
I have a Motorola Droid running CM6 (Android 2.2, effectively) and a G1 running CM5 (Android 2.1, effectively).  The Droid is on Verizon and the G1 is on a pre-pay SIM card with no data (so it is basically a wifi device I use for dev testing).

I use the same Google account on both.  It does not force me to have the same apps on both phones.  I can download apps I have paid for on both phones without any problems.  Contacts, gmail, etc. sync just fine.

However, I do believe that if both devices are running Froyo, it will try to initially restore your apps when you add your Google account.  But I believe you can then uninstall them (it won't try to re-install again).