Usually, first-party accessories are simply peripherals that exist because of the console manufacturer’s obligation to offer such products.
These accessories are usually outdone by third-party manufacturers who find ways to improve the basic first-party design with additional features, and even sometimes, better performance.
However, the first-party accessory we are reviewing today will definitely be an exception. The Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is one of the most innovate, well designed first-party accessories ever created. Manufacturers of networking gear will have a tough time offering a competitor to this terrific device. Aside from its compact design and Xbox 360 aesthetics, how good does the adapter perform? We find out.
The Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is a USB-powered, dual band wireless bridge that has been specifically designed to work in concert with the Xbox 360. Just as gameplay is what really matters in games, all peripherals should be judged by their features and performance. It’s after checking those that one realizes how good the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter really is.
Features
First, its USB interface allowed Microsoft to get away from using an external power supply such as those found in practically all wireless bridges. This is what has allowed the adapter to match the Xbox 360 minimalist design and connect on back of the console without any annoying cables. This also frees up the built-in Ethernet port, and although Microsoft has not yet revealed any intention to use the Xbox 360 as a home router (for which two networking ports would be required), the possibility is at least there and we are sure both Microsoft and Sony have paid attention to that.
The second most important feature of this adapter is its dual band capability. Although 802.11g remains the most popular Wi-Fi flavor, because it offers the same bandwidth found in 802.11a while also being backward compatible with 802.11b, the fact that 802.11g uses the same band that microwave ovens and cordless phones utilize, results in some interference depending on your home construction. If your router supports it, using 802.11a, which works in the 5GHz range, is always a good alternative.
Finally, the size of this adapter together with its ability to attach on the back of the Xbox 360, make the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter a must have accessory if you plan to use the Xbox 360 for networking gaming. Speaking of which, it is worth clarifying that the adapter can be used in either infrastructure (for Xbox Live play) or ad hoc mode (for System Link play).
Even if we agreed to focus on features and performance, I must mention again that I’m still impressed by the size of the adapter, not only because of its dimensions, but also of its relative small size for the number of features it packs in. The smallest wireless bridge that I’ve seen, the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is a lot like a notebook wireless bridge in terms of size.
Setup
I don’t know if you can call it a “setup” due to the how easy the process is. All that’s to it is, opening the package, plugging the adapter onto the back of the Xbox 360 by pressing the adapter’s tabs into the two slots found on the back of the console, and simply going to the System blade to choose the corresponding Wi-Fi network.
Most wireless bridges require the initial setup to be performed using a computer, but the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter has obviously be designed to work with the Xbox 360 right out of the box. Even if you use any form of wireless security, you still don’t need a computer to configure the adapter since Microsoft has included such utility within the Xbox 360 system.
Performance
Now here comes the biggest surprise. For some reason, I don’t believe the saying that “good things come in small packages” and the first time I saw the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter, I was concerned about its performance - which for a wireless bridge, will always be measured around signal strength and bandwidth in correspondence to distance to the access point.
Well, we can tell you the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is a Wi-Fi champion and the truth is that it performs as good as any other, larger, wireless bridge.
We have been using the adapter for more than a week now, attached to both retail and XeDK units, in rooms full of consumer electronics, including cordless phones, other wireless network cards, and even microwave ovens.
No interferences, no glitches, no interruptions at all. And if you have been asking yourself the same question we had for months, here is the answer: There is no interference at all between the Xbox 360 wireless controllers and the Xbox 360 wireless networking adapter.
But so far, this is how the device is supposed to perform, and as we mentioned above, a wireless bridge should be tested not inside the same room as the access point, but far away from it. And that’s exactly what we did.
In the case of Wi-Fi networks, distance is not necessarily important as a total number because what will make or break your adapter performance is the building infrastructure. Some will reach longer distance while other will barely be able to move to a different floor. It will all depend on the type of walls and ceilings found in the building.
I was able to connect from a basement to a wireless router found on the second floor. Signal strength had two, sometimes three bars filled of the entire four bar indicator and bandwidth was good enough to participate in multiplayer games.
As I mentioned several times, I’m still shocked about the adapter’s performance considering its small size and it almost seems like alien technology made its way into this adapter for it to perform so well.
The Bottom Line
Of course you can use any other existing wireless bridge or even use the built-in Ethernet port found in the Xbox 360, but you won’t be able to enjoy the unique functionality found in Xbox 360 wireless networking adapter.
Although you can get wireless bridges for less than $99, there is no way you can get something better than the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter at this point. Unless you don’t care about having a nasty cable reaching the top of your Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter is simply a must have.
Its performance is on par with any other wireless bridge and its ability to attach to the console while sporting the same look of the system puts the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter on top of the competition.
In my opinion, all the accessories that Microsoft has created for the Xbox 360, even though the wireless controller is outstanding and the VGA cable was definitely demanded by the masses, the Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter is the most ground-breaking of all the Xbox 360 peripherals.
It is almost impossible to imagine that a third-party manufacturer will create a better design than this adapter and that alone tells you that Microsoft has outperformed our initial expectations with this handy peripheral.
If we can think of any downside it could be its relatively high price, and we say relative because when compared to other wireless bridges, the price of the Xbox 360 wireless adapter is on par. The fact that adding $99 to your investment in the Xbox 360, along with a few games, might mean this peripheral is more of a luxury than a necessity. If you don’t have access to a wired connection and want to go wireless, this adapter is hard to beat.
If budget is not a concern, then you definitely consider investing in the
Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter.
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