Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adaptor

Wireless connectivity is a great element of today’s networking, as antennas are the much preferred alternative to having huge cables running throughout the house. Microsoft’s first-party Networking Adapter for the Xbox 360 looks to provide reliable performance within its sleek, compact design.

Many have already seen images of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter. Sliding discreetly behind the Xbox 360, this tiny device blends perfectly into the appearance of the console. When viewing the console from the front, only the antenna is visible. Its design is more than just compact, however. The adapter uses one of the USB ports of your Xbox 360, thus eliminating the wire clutter associated with plugging your wireless adapter into a power source. The adapter looks great, but how does it perform?

Luckily, Microsoft didn’t cut corners just to make their product look good. This wireless adapter works just as well, if not better, than any I have used in the past. Throughout my use of the product, I have been completely satisfied with the signal reliability. I have yet to experience disconnections, unbearable lag, or anything of the sort. This is a step up from wireless bridges I have previously used that frequently lose signals and cause lag.

Setup was incredibly simple as well. Other wireless bridges require you to first configure the device on a computer. However, with this adapter, you simply plug it into the back of the console, select your network, enter security information if needed, and you can immediately start playing. Microsoft’s adapter supports 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g networks and allows you to use network security features (WPA, WPA-2, and WEP). You can also use the Wireless Networking Adapter to connect to other Xbox 360s to utilize system link.

This network adapter is great for simply gaming, but it also enables you to utilize other Xbox 360 features. This accessory also makes it possible to stream multimedia from your PC onto your console. Gamers can now make the most of the Xbox 360’s custom soundtrack support by streaming music right off computers in your network.

The Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is a great first-party accessory that allows you to play online games, download Xbox Live Marketplace content, and stream multimedia from your computer. It blends seamlessly into the look of your console and eliminates clutter by utilizing USB. On top of all this, it simply gets the job done with a consistently solid signal and an easy setup procedure. There’s no need to readjust your entire network just to play games online. The price tag may seem a bit steep at $99, but in the end it’s worth it.