You can use a gamepad with the PC version of D2:ED. Re-mapping the hotkeys may also help.
The PC and Xbox versions are the same, content-wise. The UI and camera controls are different. Graphics are better on the PC, of course, with more options.
For combat on the Xbox, the left stick controls movement, while you can assign melee or ranged attacks, skills, etc, to the 4 buttons or pad directions. Using a melee or ranged attack/skill will have your character automatically switch to the appropriate weapon, if required.
Playing a warrior I assigned X melee attack, A range attack, Y Rush Attack, B whirlwind, left Dragon Stone, right Dragon Morph stone (both after getting the battle tower), up Heal (level 1 comes in handy) and down summon creature (after getting it).
For potions, I generally just paused (or had the low hit point auto-pause kick in) and hit a shoulder button to bring up a similar menu as with assigning button actions. That is also handy for skills you only use occasionally.
On the Xbox you can move the camera round pretty much any time with the right stick, but the only distance choice is standard or (by holding the left trigger down) an almost over the shoulder view.
The upcoming add-on FoV will be released separately on PC, but will only be available on the Xbox as part of DKS (remastered D2:ED + FoV, to be released on PC and Xbox). If you wish to play on the Xbox, or are not in a great hurry to play on PC, you might want to hold off until mid October, for DKS's release.
