Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter out this week in North America [update]
by JC Fletcher 
{ Nov 10th 2009 at 1:30PM } 
The Wireless Adapter N adds support for the 802.11n protocol, which should allow for higher-speed wireless connections. It also adds a second antenna, which allows for symmetry. Given its high price, it may cause buyers to suffer like the 802.11g did.
Update: We've confirmed with Microsoft that the original 802.11b/g adapter will only be available while supplies last -- at a new price of $80.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shadow Hog @ Nov 10th 2009 1:36PM
"it may cause buyers to suffer like the 802.11g did."
I see what you did there.
Don't come! Don't come!
Trico @ Nov 10th 2009 1:48PM
802.11g's bloodstains!!!!!
yyr @ Nov 10th 2009 4:41PM
This is as far as you go... I'll finish you here!
B3astofthe3ast @ Nov 10th 2009 1:37PM
Fuck you microsoft, Im sharing my laptops WiFi connection.
Cj @ Nov 10th 2009 2:28PM
Same baby! Even though thats just for college. I do have the older adapter for home use.
Billy @ Nov 10th 2009 2:46PM
I use that too, but I've noticed quite a bit of lag. Not sure if buying this will help, but it will certainly look nicer.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Nov 10th 2009 2:59PM
This thing isn't going to make you faster online, n adapters are primarily for STREAMING/SHARING media from one location to another. In this case, your PC to your 360. While this adapter is too expensive, most n adapters are ($70-$100). This is obviously geared towards the audio/videophile crowd who believe cost is not an issue when it comes to their setups.
pibs @ Nov 10th 2009 3:39PM
I was doing this for a while, until I gave in and bought a wifi adapter for $40 off a friend. Well worth the price because its such a pain in the ass with the laptop bridge. With the laptop bridge I would get all sorts of lag even though I have fios. I would also get lots of accidental shut downs when a family member decided to use it. Plus it saves on energy too.
I still think MS is overpricing this necessary peripheral. I believe that if they dropped it to $40-50 more people would purchase it. Not only that but it would greatly improve on our gameplay online because of less laggers.
seriousam7 @ Nov 10th 2009 3:54PM
Im gonna hafta disagree with ya there, captain. This isn't just geared towards enthusiasts, as it will soon be the only wifi option Microsoft offers.
Morisato @ Nov 10th 2009 4:02PM
Wireless is always a dodgy setup when playing online... it's best to just buy $100 worth of cable and go directly into your modem/router... unless of course you're stealing internet from someone else...
Courtney @ Nov 10th 2009 4:49PM
@morisato
You mean there are people who don't just have several hundred feet of ethernet cable in a closet waiting to be used? I tend to forget that I am not like the others.
Oh, and you can buy a hundred foot of cable off monoprice for 8$ plus shipping. No reason to pay silly BestBuy prices for cabling.
bahooey @ Nov 10th 2009 5:25PM
@captain: this is not an item for the audio/videophile crowd cuz no one in their right mind with such a setup would use the noise machine that is the 360 for any kind of streaming.
Magresda @ Nov 11th 2009 7:54AM
I'm inclined to agree with Courtney and Morisato. You can buy insane amounts of ethernet cable dirt cheap. Add a little duct tape and you won't even trip on it!
Orchard Pear @ Nov 10th 2009 1:37PM
http://mshiman.com/gotyaagain.jpg
EvoHelix @ Nov 10th 2009 1:37PM
Will all routers be able to take advantage of this, or will I need to buy one that's compatible?
eNrique @ Nov 10th 2009 2:00PM
You'll need to buy a new one.
THE HEAVY @ Nov 10th 2009 2:09PM
You'll have to have an N router.
But unless you are suffering weakness of signal due to range problems, it's probably not worth the hassle of buying a new router and adapter.
ryan @ Nov 10th 2009 2:27PM
you will need a wireless n router to get wireless n speeds...but you can still use it with the other routers just that you will be limited to the speed the router is capable of
Vcize @ Nov 10th 2009 1:37PM
Here, I'll get this out of the way early.
You should all get a Wii or PS3 because the wireless is free. Look at the true cost if you buy a 360.
360 arcade: $199 + tax (no tax on PS3/Wii) = $499
360 wi-fi: $600 and you HAVE to have it and can't go online without it
XBox Live: $999
Rechargeable batteries for your controller: $7,365
Replacement 360's for RROD within the 1st month: $800
Hard Drive: $754
PS3 console: $0
PS3 wireless: built-in for uber fast gaming connections!
PSN: It pays you $50/mo because Sony loves you!!!
50000gb Hard Drive: $1
Ok, now that that's out of the way, maybe we can actually talk about the adapter this time.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 10th 2009 1:43PM
You idiot! You forgot 10000 dollars for breaking the TV with the Wiimote!
Metal Muse @ Nov 10th 2009 1:52PM
you forgot the ps3 import price on games
dark_inchworm (stronger than never, ever before) @ Nov 10th 2009 1:52PM
But those thousands of dollars make the experience worthwhile, maaaan
GhostofGrendel @ Nov 10th 2009 1:53PM
Sadly your sarcasm is really just about what the joystiq posts have become. Apparently if you like Sony it's mandatory for you to hate the 360. I don't know why this is. Justification for spending your money on something you want?
Mr Khan @ Nov 10th 2009 2:00PM
You forgot the necessary dustbuster with Wii
(goes to wash virtual mouth out with soap)
eNrique @ Nov 10th 2009 2:02PM
This is the real chart;
http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/26/855758-xboxisfornerds.png
Jrod @ Nov 10th 2009 2:02PM
You forgot to include the price of a home and electricity. I mean,if we're gonna be cocks here.
Troy Powers (PSN: TroyPowers) @ Nov 10th 2009 2:09PM
Vcize completely flipping the fuck out: Priceless.
Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Nov 10th 2009 2:39PM
I love reading the comments in stories about this adapter because it is becoming increasingly clear that 98% of fucking people don't know what the fuck this new adapter does.
Duke @ Nov 10th 2009 5:57PM
Does it cook bacon? If not then I see no need for it.
philmcphail @ Nov 10th 2009 7:26PM
...and to think, for $100 more, you could buy the basic console itself.
Jake @ Nov 11th 2009 10:27AM
YES!!!
More overpriced, proprietary hardware!
JXCgunrunna @ Nov 10th 2009 1:38PM
I think JC should write all press releases for microsoft.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 10th 2009 1:42PM
Ahh...more overpriced accessories.
Only from Microsoft. Your Money, Our Passion.
GiggMan @ Nov 10th 2009 1:49PM
The sad thing about it is that people will buy this thinking that they get some kind of online edge in performance.
It just allows you to be further away from you router.
Martin @ Nov 10th 2009 1:55PM
It also allows for faster speeds. While that may not be visible in an application like gaming, to say that range is the only benefit of 802.11n is incorrect.
GiggMan @ Nov 10th 2009 2:43PM
The key is you are still are not gaining an "edge". Just like if you decide to run 50 feet of cable instead of using wireless you still won't have an advantage.
If you want to believe that you will see a performance increase go ahead.
Y. Kurokawa @ Nov 10th 2009 1:44PM
Fail.
Let's kill third-party memory units then this. I'm not the type to go on a full-blown tirade, but they're trying my patience. They keep this up and they'll join Activision-Blizzard on that effigy I'll burn in a glorious fashion.
Until then - I'll stick with my hardline connection thanks.
GiggMan @ Nov 10th 2009 1:44PM
Just in time for Christmas....
I'LL pass.
Erron Kelly @ Nov 10th 2009 1:44PM
I bought 50 feet of ethernet cable to directly plug my 360 in to the router. It was far cheaper.
Heston @ Nov 10th 2009 1:54PM
*and it's faster.
Bitter Kevin @ Nov 10th 2009 1:58PM
And a far better connection... I think crappy wireless connections account for at least half of the bad hosts on Live.
Reuben @ Nov 10th 2009 1:44PM
I've been using the old Ethernet cable that came with my 360 way back when, and I will continue to do so until one of these things become reasonably priced.
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 10th 2009 1:48PM
Yeah, too bad the new 360's don't come with that cable. I've got two of them.
Vidikron @ Nov 10th 2009 2:11PM
Why switch from wired to wireless? The adapter will never be more reliable than your current wired set-up.
GewurztraminerX @ Nov 10th 2009 2:17PM
Agreed; even if it becomes reasonably priced, it's not as good as a cable. If you value watching Netflix without becoming insane, stick to wired.
Oh, and I hear it's good for gaming too.
HazyCloud @ Nov 10th 2009 2:43PM
@ Darth
My MW2 console came with an ethernet cable. It's HDMI and component that they pulled.
Bitter Kevin @ Nov 10th 2009 1:52PM
Suffer like G did?
GO CARL!
Erluti @ Nov 10th 2009 2:38PM
THANK YOU.
The 802.11 was throwing me way off. But now that I'm on track, I LOVE the references.
(Not sarcasm, I am, in fact, an idiot.)
Tuxy79 @ Nov 10th 2009 1:53PM
No thanks.
Julian @ Nov 10th 2009 1:56PM
It still makes no sense to me why MS doesn't put Wifi in the 360, I know they claim it's a choice if we want it or not, but if they want this to be a living room entertainment device, it needs wifi since like 95% of ppl do not have an ethernet jack right next to their HD TVs, I suspect this is why the Ps3/360 online install base is about the same, ps3 has wifi so almost everyone is on, while MS excludes anyone who doesn't have a jack next to their TV