All iPads Silent release is the way to go....

[Gix1k]

Ordered online and picked up my mini retina a few hours later. The Apple store was calm as a church. The guy I met with said he didn't even know they were getting them until he got in at 1pm.

 

[Patriot24]

While it may have been an easy experience for you, the reality of the situation is that most people that want one will not be able to acquire it as easily as is usually the case with typical launches. In some cases, that may mean lost sales.

I promise you that Tim Cook and the gang would much rather have their standard shock and awe campaign where they sell millions in a single weekend rather than making it a rat race for customers.

Mark my words - this will cause another wave of "Is Apple Losing Its Magic?" and "Apple is doomed" articles

 

[Macalway]

I'm not sure I follow your logic

I sort of want to know stuff before I do it

 

[thaifood]

It was only a silent release due to supply constraints. Apple would have been pounding the media drum had there been supplies similar to the Air.