Yeah. They're fairly neglected, but most Xenos factions in 40k are.
As far as the tabletop, there are seven phases on the tabletop per round, and Tau are weak or useless in three of those (psychic, charge, and fight). I'm sure they shoot very well, though. They get better overwatch than other factions for instance. They're just not a great army if you want to actually do stuff or have more options for melee or psychic. Of course, I may be wrong here, but I know in the fluff, the Tau don't do melee and have no psykers.