Microsoft Wireless Adapter for Xbox 360

(UPDATE -  The Wireless N adapter was released in November and this adapter's price dropped ~$10  
http://www.epinions.com/content_492371414660 )




Without a doubt, the XBOX 360 Wireless adapter is singlehandedly the most disappointing peripheral I’ve purchased for my Xbox 360.  Unfortunately, there are not many other options so it may be a necessary item for some buyers while simultaneously being a luxury for others.

The main problem is the cost. Physically, there is nothing aesthetically bad about the little device, but when you consider its value compared to other items of this type, you might feel abused by Microsoft’s pricing.  This USB WiFi adapter’s cost is roughly $100 when you factor in tax/shipping.   This might have been forgivable at the 360’s launch back in November 2005, while the following systems: PS3 and Wii were not yet released, but what is unforgivable is that Microsoft never made the decision to integrate WiFi into the redesigned XBOX 360 units: The $400 Elite, and the  $300 Pro.

By comparison, you can actually buy Desktop computers from expensive makers like Hewlett Packard and SONY with WiFi adapters already built in for just $40 extra. 

The PS3 and the Nintendo Wii come with built in WiFi adapters, as do most other devices nowadays such as Photo Frames, printers, and even digital cameras.

But even 4 years later, Microsoft still demands almost $100 for this ubiquitous add-on that should have been built in?   Its downright unfair.

The unfairness of the price comes into mind when you consider that installation takes less than a minute and setup of your Wireless security (if you have it) takes but one minute more.  The adapter is a device you simply clip onto the back of the 360 console and forget that it even exists.   This is not an extra controller or the add-on HDDVD drive…this is a device that you should not have to buy – or – that should not still be so expensive.

The real problem is that Microsoft lost tons of money on the original XBOX due to the fact it came with advanced features such as Ethernet and a Hard Drive built in. this time around, Microsoft is determined to recoup as much as possible by selling a CHEAPO version of the 360,  “The ARCADE” for $200 and making it so the buyer must buy every single add-on  (HDD, WiFi adapter,  play&charge kit etc).  

The price of the adapter automatically downgrades the device rating to 4 stars out of 5.

The WiFi adapter loses another star for being virtually unusable  with any other USB device that could need a WiFi adapter.   
You can’t simply take this adapter and connect it to a desktop computer to use the desktop wirelessly (like virtually all other WiFi adapters allow you to do).  This device is programmed to connect and sync only to the XBOX 360 which means that when the 360 is replaced one day, you will have no more use for the adapter and it will end up in a box somewhere. $100 forgotten somewhere in a closet.   What  bothers me most of all, is that in a brilliant move, Microsoft designed “GAMES FOR WINDOWS” which allows many XBOX360 accessories to work seamlessly through USB on your desktop computer.  You can plug your wireless controller directly to your Windows VISTA laptop for instance and play games with it.  So why won’t Windows allow you to use the 360’s adapter?

Furthermore, The 360 is designed so that no other generic USB WiFi adapter that you might be using on your computer will work on the XBOX360. That’s doubly unfair.

And even if you could use the 360’s adapter on your computer, it would be a funky looking piece of equipment.  It is shaped specifically to fit with the curvature of the XBOX with two clips designed to clip into the back of the 360 and nothing else. 

The only good thing I can say about it, is that it comes with the same Matte White finish that the ARCADE and the PRO have, allowing it to look nice. 

But what if you have the Xbox 360 ELITE with the matte Black paint job?  Get this:  Microsoft NEVER MADE A BLACK ADAPTER UNIT !   Now we are being unfair to people who paid a lot of money for their system. Imagine having a black on black car and chrome rims with a bright white spoiler on back. 
And what if you actually wanted to use the 360's 3 USB ports for something else?  This adapter takes the one in back solely for itself. 

As far as firmware goes, the unit works perfectly. 
The unit is designed to be 802.11G  54Mbps with backward compatibility for 802.11 A & B. 

*If you are currently using an 802.11B wireless LAN in your house, and still plan on buying this device, you should also upgrade your wireless router to an 802.11G router so you get maximum use out of this adapter.

* If you are currently using  an 802.11n router, you will not have access to the full 100 plus Mbps speed ratings of it, and the router will automatically downgrade itself to work with this G adapter.   Microsoft never made an 802.11n adapter because the n standard has not been finalized yet.

The adapter also supports WEP and WPA encryption so most likely, any modern router you are using will work flawlessly with this device (except for some older  Actiontec routers ).


OVERALL

When I take my XBOX 360 with me to family’s houses or on vacation, I can instantly connect to wireless networks  without the need for Ethernet Cable. This is the only reason you should buy the adapter – only if you really, really need it. Otherwise, its useless. If you can have a professional run Ethernet cable through the walls of your home, you’d probably make out over $50 cheaper. There are some generic options out there called “USB WIRELESS GAME ADAPTERS” and “ETHERNET-to-WIRELESS Bridges” made by Linksys and Netgear, but, for the most part, these devices are large and clunky despite the fact they usually work well according to consumer reviews. Unfortunately, some of them cost almost as much or more than this device.

Another possibility is to connect your 360 to your laptop via Ethernet and use the laptop's WiFi to connect to the internet. If you have a Windows computer you simply go to Control Panel and enable "other users to connect to the internet through this computer".  If you have OSX, you can  go to Network settings and "enable internet sharing".
You'd still have to keep the laptop on and it would look like a terrible seup. Latency times wouldn't be that great either.
 
 If you are willing to spend $100 on this specific adapter, all you will really get out of it is the convenient size of a device that should have been internal in the first place.