It's pretty genius of Apple to dominate the most tangible spec: the display. And not just dominate it, but by all accounts, practically own the world-wide inventory. All of the other devices which continue to try [and fail] to out-RAM/CPU/GPU/battery the iPad just don't get it.
When you are holding the device and just looking at it, maybe trying a few apps - whether at the store, or trying out your friends - the display is the only constant that'll matter and it's the only thing that you can definitively and objectively compare.
Apple's choice of the display is a good/bad situation. They are getting some positive press around their so called "retina display" - but I suspect that Apple will have supply shortages that will negatively impact them for a significant portion of the quarter. The 2048x1536 display is a fairly new component, the yields are probably suboptimal, and the manufacturing lines are probably not up to speed. Don't be too surprise if you are unable to purchase the "new iPad" for several months while Apple (and it's component vendors) try and crank out enough supply for the foxconn factories.
And yes - I do agree with you - Apple and their bundles of cash have likely hamstrung world-wide inventories of this display for a minimum of 60, if not 90 days. No other electronics vendor will be shipping the 2048x1536 form factor in large volumes until June/July at the very earliest.
Doesn't Apple have a history of successfully using/inventing new components? The unibody aluminium, the original retina display, glass trackpads..even the "hidden" LED on Macbooks. The only major supply failure that I'm aware of is the white iPhone.
Also, Apple says they'll have enough screen for 12-15 million devices this quarter, and claim there's no supply issue at all. [1]
That aside, shortage isn't bad for in-demand items. It just causes more hype. A year after the Wii shortage, they were still one of the hotest electronic devices you could get your hands on.
When you are holding the device and just looking at it, maybe trying a few apps - whether at the store, or trying out your friends - the display is the only constant that'll matter and it's the only thing that you can definitively and objectively compare.