Xbox360 Wireless Network Question

dhill · 21 Sep 2006 at 14:48

Getting a 360 soon, and have a wireless network question for you guys & gals.

Rather than splashing out lots of money for the official wireless network adapter, could I use a USB wireless network dongle?

If so, can anyone recommend any that work with the 360?

Cheers

Nismo · 21 Sep 2006 at 14:49

Only method is to buy a wireless access point (I think?), or get the official adaptor.

USB dongles wont work as the 360 wont have any drivers to recognise them.

NokkonWud · 21 Sep 2006 at 15:05

You'll spend £40-£50 on a game that will last a month but not £50-£60 on a wireless adapter that will last 3-5 years?

dhill · 21 Sep 2006 at 15:08

NokkonWud said:
You'll spend £40-£50 on a game that will last a month but not £50-£60 on a wireless adapter that will last 3-5 years?

Why spend £50-£60 on a wireless adapter, if I can get one that works just as well for less!?

NokkonWud · 21 Sep 2006 at 15:09

dhill said:
Why spend £50-£60 on a wireless adapter, if I can get one that works just as well for less!?

Because it works perfectly the second you plug it in, it connects the back of the console, doesn't look out of place (infact, it looks good) and it's small.

DaveyD · 21 Sep 2006 at 15:46

Though expensive, in the long term it's the best thing to go for. Try looking for second hand ones, they have been known to go for £45 new from Kays, but they're always out of stock. Gaming bridges are the best alternative, but I've no experience at setting these up. OcUK sell these bridges, and they start at £40, so to be hones, it's worth the extra £20 that way.

Or just find a good way of hiding an ethernet cable

Energize · 21 Sep 2006 at 15:57

NokkonWud said:
Because it works perfectly the second you plug it in, it connects the back of the console, doesn't look out of place (infact, it looks good) and it's small.

Just like every £30 ethernet bridge then.

NokkonWud · 21 Sep 2006 at 16:03

No, not like every ethernet bridge.

Energize · 21 Sep 2006 at 16:12

The decent brands then, I know I'd rather spend £30 on a netgear ethernet bridge which will work with any device be able to upgrade to 802.11n. Than £50 on a 360 adaptor.

Phil99 · 21 Sep 2006 at 16:14

Personally I'd go for a cheaper ethernet bridge.

Advantages:

Cheaper
Can be used on anything (any other console with ethernet port, PC, laptop - whatever)

Disadvantages:

Doesn't fit in with console as well as the official adapter
Can't configure from dash

Kreeeee · 21 Sep 2006 at 16:56

NokkonWud · 21 Sep 2006 at 17:43

You must remember, Microsoft's wireless adapter isn't a cheap piece of kit (technically) either. It's a very high quality product.

It also supports a/b/g bands unlike most ethernet bridges.

But you people can be as cheap as you like.

Kreeeee · 21 Sep 2006 at 17:55

DaveyD · 21 Sep 2006 at 18:25

It is a lot of money, which I personally wouldn't pay for unless I had a lot of cash. I got a decent wireless router for that money, but that reason was because I already had the WiFi connector with my second hand 360

Phil99 · 21 Sep 2006 at 18:56

NokkonWud said:
You must remember, Microsoft's wireless adapter isn't a cheap piece of kit (technically) either. It's a very high quality product.

It also supports a/b/g bands unlike most ethernet bridges.

But you people can be as cheap as you like.

Well I don't think anyone doubts it's high quality, but for what it is it's expensive. Add to that you can't use it with anything else if you need to and it's not exactly a wise purchase when you can get a product of equal quality for a decent amount of cash less that can be more widely used.

It does have the plus point of being compatible with 802.11a, but 99% of people will be using b or g.

I don't see how it's being 'cheap' when there are clear benefits in favour of the cheaper products!

Energize · 21 Sep 2006 at 19:53

NokkonWud said:
You must remember, Microsoft's wireless adapter isn't a cheap piece of kit (technically) either. It's a very high quality product.

It also supports a/b/g bands unlike most ethernet bridges.

But you people can be as cheap as you like.

Yeah but no one uses A in their home so it's a non issue, it won't be good though when products start switching to 802.11n and the 360 adaptor doesn't support it wheeras others will.

NokkonWud · 22 Sep 2006 at 00:28

Phil99 said:
It does have the plus point of being compatible with 802.11a, but 99% of people will be using b or g.

I agree, a is for people who want to use MCE to view video's without interference on the network

. If you are wanting to do this then I think it's worth it.