Why is it so hard to research a proper replacement for my SuperDrive?

Try > Apple iMac 27-inch 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (MB952LL/A) Optical Drives

and > TheBookYard : Optical Drives

or > AppleComponents.com - 661-5283 - Drive, Optical, 12.7mm, Slot-Loading, SATA

I wouldn't bother replacing the internal drive at all! They are slow and finicky. You'd be better off saving yourself a lot of time and getting a high quality external drive. They are much more reliable and read a greater variety of branded discs.

"A 3 year old Mac? Isn't it time you think about getting rid of that old thing and buying a brand new computer?" That's what a well known computer service center would say. 😟

Others make good suggestions. Also check www.mac-sales.com

I'd second the suggestion to get an external burner; I've used a LaCie for years - less finicky, burns any media and just works.

The question: How is an end user supposed to replace such a part if trying to find an exact match it is so difficult?

iMacs weren't really designed to have parts replaced by end users (except for RAM).

If you get one with Firewire, it'll be much better and faster. And, if you want to avoid burn errors, it is usually advised to burn at slower speeds. I always to - taking a few minutes longer is of no concern to me; I'd rather have a perfectly burned DVD.

Yeah, Firewire is the way to go. I have a DL LaCie Firewire 400 optical drive and it is double the speed of the internal drive of my 24" iMac and accepts just about any kind of disc, whereas the internal drive will spit out 90% of the discs I try. It's quite odd that, I will buy a pack of Verbatum discs (a recommended brand) and the iMac's drive will accept half of them and spit the others out. However, my LaCie drive will even accept the 'el cheapo' discs. Save yourself the headache and get an external Firewire drive.

Silly Rabbit isn't silly. Unless you are dead set on putting a new $120 or more drive into a 5 year old computer, replacing that slow finicky drive with a sub $50 drive makes much more sense.

Don't blame you there, as matter of fact I also have an external Optical DVD drive and agree with the others.

Does this drive perform other tasks properly? Perhaps the lens is dirty? The CD/DVD drives on Macs, especially the laptops get dusty due to the cooling system sucking air in through the slot opening. If this drive is hard to get at without major disassembly of the machine, just take a credit card or business card, wrap a cotton cloth around it, gently insert it into the slot, slide it to the left (most lenses are parked toward the left side of the open slot, furthest from the spindle), and gently pull out. Do that a few times, turning the cloth. Do NOT use any cleaners or water. It's a simple first step diagnostic before spending money and time on a new drive.