AfterDawn: News

Microsoft confirmed 802.11n WiFi adapter for Xbox 360

Microsoft has confirmed that it is working on a new wireless adapter for the Xbox 360 console that is compatible with the new 802.11n specification. The current (original) WiFi adapter is compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networking, but the new speedy 802.11n will soon be available to Xbox 360 users should they choose to buy the additional component for the console.

Over the past few weeks, several photographs and other source of information (such as FCC filings) have shown up and been examined thoroughly - pretty much revealing that Microsoft had such a product in the works.



The company has not yet revealed all details about the new adapter (not least how much it costs, or whether or not it will completely replace the existing adapter).

No launch date or potential price has been revealed by the company either.

Written by: James Delahunty @ 22 Sep 2009 23:48

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• 19 comments

• canuckerz

  I wounder how much more this one is going to cost over the already ridiculously priced wireless g adapter. Besides the only real benefit you will see from it will be range, going from 100mbps to 300mbps isn't going to help jack all for gaming when you're only ever really going to use like 5-10mbps at the most for most people.

  23.9.2009 01:32 #1

• bomber991

  Originally posted by canuckerz: I wounder how much more this one is going to cost over the already ridiculously priced wireless g adapter. Besides the only real benefit you will see from it will be range, going from 100mbps to 300mbps isn't going to help jack all for gaming when you're only ever really going to use like 5-10mbps at the most for most people.I really can't believe how expensive that adapter is. I never have actually looked up the prices of accessories for the 360, but dang, amazon has it for $76.49 marked down from $99.99!!!
  
  802.11g adapters did cost $100 one time, back when they first came out in 2003.
  
  I wasn't aware the current adapter was also 802.11a compatible. I don't know of anyone with an 802.11a network. Same speeds as G but can't go through any walls. Seriously, they should have not had support for that, but really this damn wireless adapter should have been integrated into the system, and if it isn't then it's just a ~$20 part.
  
  I'm guessing this 802.11n adapter will just quietly replace the current one for the same price.

  23.9.2009 03:20 #2

• kyo28

  Personally, I think a g wifi adapter is sufficient for a gaming console / multimedia machine.
  
  I also wonder how much this will cost. The previous adapter was severely overpriced ... so overpriced even I never bought it and never took my 360 online. :'(

  23.9.2009 03:23 #3

• sideffx

  For years I was using a 50 foot ethernet cable, but eventually was forced to go wireless, witch is MUCH slower now. I payed $100 and considered it a downgrade but the only other option was to run 100 ft or cable. I hope they give us a break this time. They need to have just built the thing into the system.

  23.9.2009 04:43 #4

• emugamer

  Isn't 801.11n supposed to help streaming higher bitrate video? Might come in handy when viewing HD movies through Netflix. Do I have it all wrong?

  23.9.2009 05:56 #5

• EricCarr

  The one I bought before doesn't work. I had to return it. It's funny my Wii and other computers will connect to my Wireless network in the house, but not the one for the Xbox360.
  

  AMD Quad 9950
  Asus Motherboard
  2G Kingston Ram
  512MB Asus 8600GT
  Samsung DVD Rom sh- d162c
  LG Rom GDR8163B
  LG Burner h62n

  23.9.2009 06:14 #6

• TBandit

  yeah that was a ridiculous price i was thinking about buying it a few years ago but just used my laptop i kinda regret gettin an xbox because of how much it costs in the long run

  23.9.2009 07:45 #7

• plazma247

  Personally i think wifi as bad idea when it comes to online games, look someone next door just turned their microwave on and the wifi had a small fit and you got OWNED... lol
  
  Personally i recon your far better of getting a couple of 200MBPS homeplugs and using these for gaming and it probably costs less than 802.11n setup and is going to have far less problems.

  23.9.2009 09:43 #8

• creaky

  No need for such expensive gadgets, a standard 'g' Wifi router (and flash it with DD-WRT) either brand new or off eBay will be far cheaper/a better alternative. Not sure wireless 'N' is even needed on a console, if it is just buy a standard 'n' Wifi router and put DD-WRT on it.
  

  
  
  Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
  Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS/WPA ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 4node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G v3.1, WRT54G2 v1, WRT54G v5. *** Forum Rules ***

  23.9.2009 10:10 #9

• glassd

  Routers like the WRT54G operate faster than %99 of all internet service providers in America. With the WRT54G, unknown to most, they operate at 25Mbps until you disable “b”, then it operates at 54Mbps.
  Creaky, what improvement can DD-WRT provide in gamming.

  23.9.2009 11:50 #10

• creaky

  It's just (far) better than stock firmware supplied with (supported) routers. Even a cheap router with stock firmware is a better and cheaper alternative to so-called gaming adapters which are just stripped down routers sold at ridiculously expensive prices.
  
  Haven't come across the 'b' problem you describe, most of my routers are Linksys (see my sig).
  

  
  
  Main PC ~ Intel C2Q Q6600 (G0 Stepping)/Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3/2GB Crucial Ballistix PC2-8500/Zalman CNPS9700/Antec 900/Corsair HX 620W
  Network ~ DD-WRT ~ 2node WDS/WPA ~ Buffalo WHR-G54S. 4node WPA2/AES ~ WRT54GS v6 (inc. WEP BSSID), WRT54G v2, WRT54G v3.1, WRT54G2 v1, WRT54G v5. *** Forum Rules ***

  23.9.2009 11:58 #11

• glassd

  Not a problem with “b” enabled. The best I can remember, when b and g are enabled, 24m is dedicated to each. By disabling b, 54M is allocated to g. I will see if I can find the Linksys article again. I have the WRT54GS and did it to mine. I’m not doubting you about the DD-WRT, it may be something that I want to install. I saw that you could adjust the Output Power using DD-WRT. Is this adjustment higher than what is standard?
  
  Not an issue for me anyway, I have 1.5M DSL and will never utilize the 25 or 54M anyway.

  23.9.2009 12:18 #12

• DoggRuff

  Forget the wireless adapter from M$. Many people use Wireless Access Points to connect to their Wireless Routers, then connect their XBox 360 to the WAP via ethernet cable.
  
  While I haven't tried it yet myself, I've heard of many success stories, specifically from this one using 802.11n already:
  WAP Wireless-N
  for only $55...
  
  Or, one using 802.11g:
  WAP Wireless-G
  for only $30...
  
  People mention their use with the XBox 360 specifically in the review sections.
  
  Again, don't bother with M$.

  23.9.2009 13:10 #13

• Imapi

  Well 50$ for that is too much i think ... By the way, does the ps3 have wifi support ?

  23.9.2009 13:50 #14

• glassd

  PS3, yes, standard equipment.
  
  Creaky. I may be barking up the wrong tree. b can only degrade g if you have both b and g devices transmitting at the same time as shown on the second graph at http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/wireless...-30825185.html.
  Please remove link if you do not want it here. Most people do not have b devices anymore, should not matter.

  23.9.2009 14:02 #15

• IPRFenix

  Copy paste from Arstechnica.com
  
  Quote:Microsoft has also confirmed the existence of an 802.11n adaptor for the Xbox 360, and the Mole has let us know that the hardware will be released for $100, with the existing 802.11g adapter dropping in price to $79.99.
  Unfortunately it's back to the $100 price tag.
  Which is really quite ridiculous.
  
  Rather than a WAP, you could just as well use a wireless router.
  Newegg has one that's $27 regular, $20 on sale.
  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833130044
  Sure it's bigger than a WAP, or the overpriced Microsoft adapter. But, if you stick the 360 in the DMZ, and configure the router properly, it should work. Maybe even better so than a WAP or an adapter.

  23.9.2009 22:02 #16

• kyo28

  Originally posted by Imapi: Well 50$ for that is too much i think ... By the way, does the ps3 have wifi support ?
  
  
  PS3, Wii, PSP and even DS all have wifi built in ... 360 was the only one that doesn't ship with built-in wifi ... and charges 100 USD for the external wifi adapter. Yep, in the long run, it can turn out to be a costly console.

  24.9.2009 03:16 #17

• lxhotboy

  What Microsoft needs to be announcing is the release of newer xbox360 console that will have built in wifi. It has become a standard and as it may have been a decent way to keep the console price down at launch, the prices are a lot cheaper now and more people can afford to buy the next generation consoles.

  25.9.2009 22:01 #18

• chris4160

  Quote:Originally posted by Imapi: Well 50$ for that is too much i think ... By the way, does the ps3 have wifi support ?
  
  
  PS3, Wii, PSP and even DS all have wifi built in ... 360 was the only one that doesn't ship with built-in wifi ... and charges 100 USD for the external wifi adapter. Yep, in the long run, it can turn out to be a costly console.Look at wii's built in wifi, it's rubbish. I can't even connect mine to the router in the next room (it's a good router aswell).
  
  I have an xbox 360 wireless networking adapter and I quite like them, I bearly ever lag in cod 4 yet I always have a red bar... go figure. But if I had my time over again I would just buy an ethernet over power adapter.
  
  On topic: I don't see the point for an n reciever, most connections won't even go that fast. BTW I heard stories of the 802.11n network interfering with rf devices:
  
  Quote:There are a few different types of WIFI connections. Types B or G do not take up as much of the RF spectrum and have less interference issues than type N.That was from a headset designer, N wifi is interfering with the sound quality.

  26.9.2009 04:46 #19