New, cheaper WiFi adapter for Xbox 360?
- September 16, 2009 15:35 PM PST
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Many fans take Micrsoft to task for its $100 Wi-Fi adapter. Might we finally have a newer and cheaper online option?
Wi-Fi? More like 'Wi you gotta be so expensive?!'
Wouldn't it be nice if Microsoft admitted it was gouging consumers by charging $100 for an otherwise unremarkable wireless 802.11g USB adapter? What'd be even nicer: Besides an integrated version in its freshly price-adjusted $300 Xbox 360 Elite, how about a wireless 802.11n USB adapter for $40 or less?
Engadget thinks it has pictures of the 802.11n part--a little black rabbity looking rectangle with an incriminating label that identifies it as the 'n' iteration of the 802.11 spec. That means it'd run at up to 160Mbps, another meaningless maximum you'd never achieve due (among other things) to the chug-a-lugging hard drive's chokehold. Still, 802.11n could see you future-proofed for the inevitable Xbox 360 500GB solid-state drive. I won't guess what that'll cost you in Xbox 360 peripheral dollars.
How overpriced is the current 802.11g part? Put it this way. I just bought a Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless-N Network USB Adapter for my MacBook Pro--a part that's boosted my ability to hone in on signals by at least 100 feet--for $60. You can get most USB 802.11n parts, with or without an external antenna, for somewhere in the $13 to $30 range.
Say what you will, wireless matters. My Xbox 360 hasn't been in sighting range of an Ethernet cable since I bought it. I know some of you swear by Ethernet--I have a friend who was at one point running a monstrously long one out of his bedroom, down the hallway, around his living room, and up to the back of his entertainment center--but if I had to bet who's using what, I'd say over half of you dropped $100 on the adapter. Sooner or later you want the flexibility. How many of you have your cable or DSL boxes squatting in your living room (as opposed to the office, tucked away somewhere out of sight)? I'm betting not that many.
As for the $40 part, you'll have to bug Microsoft, because that's probably wishful thinking on my part. Assuming the 802.11n part's for really-real, something tells me we'll have to pay $100 or more--all for the privilege of owning what amounts to a letter further down the IEEE's syllabary.
Read more at PC World's Game On blog! Follow the blog on Twitter, too!
I really hope they come out with a cheaper option for Xbox 360 Wi-Fi soon. I hate running a 15 foot ethernet cable along the side of my main room to play games online, but I don't hate it worth a hundred bucks.
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- Sep 16 2009 at 04:21:38:PM PST
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This brings up the thing that bugs me the most about the PS3 vs. 360 war. Everyone said the PS3 is too expensive but the 360 ends up being oodles of more money in the long run.
1) Wireless adapter - $100 (Built in wireless card, Free with PS3)
2) Batteries for the oversized, and not so ergonomically designed controller - $60 for 5 years (Built-in charger for the slick controller, Free with PS3)
3) Subscription to play your friends online - $250 for 5 years (Free with PS3)
4) Obsolete HD Drive - $50 (non-obsolete Blu Ray, Free with PS3)
5) Upgraded hard drive - $?? (3rd party cheaper drive for PS3)
Over a 5 year span you have to pay at least another $460 just to meet what the PS3 has.
There, I said my piece! I feel better now...
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HighTension wrote:
This brings up the thing that bugs me the most about the PS3 vs. 360 war. Everyone said the PS3 is too expensive but the 360 ends up being oodles of more money in the long run.
1) Wireless adapter - $100 (Built in wireless card, Free with PS3)
2) Batteries for the oversized, and not so ergonomically designed controller - $60 for 5 years (Built-in charger for the slick controller, Free with PS3)
3) Subscription to play your friends online - $250 for 5 years (Free with PS3)
4) Obsolete HD Drive - $50 (non-obsolete Blu Ray, Free with PS3)
5) Upgraded hard drive - $?? (3rd party cheaper drive for PS3)
Over a 5 year span you have to pay at least another $460 just to meet what the PS3 has.
There, I said my piece! I feel better now...
Dude i know this is so stupid "XBox 360's are cheaper" Friend.
"No they are not, then i told him everything you said then i stopped talking to him."
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Guys and gals you do not need a wifi to connected to live. Wifi is not in everyone home. My famliy never got Wifi until last year. But that long timg ago. And if I had my way. I would have gone with wiered connection. Becoues I do not have worry about this and that. But hey if you going have more then on devices connected to the internet. It a fin investment. But if you are going to connect only your gaming console to internet. It be cheeper just go to the old way by eithernet cable.
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HighTension wrote:
This brings up the thing that bugs me the most about the PS3 vs. 360 war. Everyone said the PS3 is too expensive but the 360 ends up being oodles of more money in the long run.I have to defend it on the wireless and batteries, since many people use rechargable AA batteries, and the majority of people are fine just connecting it wired, especially for online gaming, and would rather save that money. And if not just buy the wireless adapter. And the blu ray is not free on the PS3, it's the main reason why it costs so much and it is in last place.And for the record I rather have a PS3 because it's quieter than the 360.
1) Wireless adapter - $100 (Built in wireless card, Free with PS3)
2) Batteries for the oversized, and not so ergonomically designed controller - $60 for 5 years (Built-in charger for the slick controller, Free with PS3)
3) Subscription to play your friends online - $250 for 5 years (Free with PS3)
4) Obsolete HD Drive - $50 (non-obsolete Blu Ray, Free with PS3)
5) Upgraded hard drive - $?? (3rd party cheaper drive for PS3)
Over a 5 year span you have to pay at least another $460 just to meet what the PS3 has.
There, I said my piece! I feel better now...
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jstern wrote:
HighTension wrote:
This brings up the thing that bugs me the most about the PS3 vs. 360 war. Everyone said the PS3 is too expensive but the 360 ends up being oodles of more money in the long run.I have to defend it on the wireless and batteries, since many people use rechargable AA batteries, and the majority of people are fine just connecting it wired, especially for online gaming, and would rather save that money. And if not just buy the wireless adapter. And the blu ray is not free on the PS3, it's the main reason why it costs so much and it is in last place.And for the record I rather have a PS3 because it's quieter than the 360.
1) Wireless adapter - $100 (Built in wireless card, Free with PS3)
2) Batteries for the oversized, and not so ergonomically designed controller - $60 for 5 years (Built-in charger for the slick controller, Free with PS3)
3) Subscription to play your friends online - $250 for 5 years (Free with PS3)
4) Obsolete HD Drive - $50 (non-obsolete Blu Ray, Free with PS3)
5) Upgraded hard drive - $?? (3rd party cheaper drive for PS3)
Over a 5 year span you have to pay at least another $460 just to meet what the PS3 has.
There, I said my piece! I feel better now...
Yep. And if all this where free. PS3 would cost only to pay the plassic. And sayed it would only cost $60 dollars at less if it was the caes. And not everyone know how to put a hard drive the right way. I know computers. But not enought to make my owned. And that the fact.
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I love this same old argument with the 360's cost. It like saying my Hyundai Genesis cost less than your Honda Accord because #1. Hyundai comes with a real nice stereo and if you wahnt the same kindda stereo in your accord you have to pay 1000 bucks plus labor.......blah blah blah. I brought my video game systems for the games and if you believe it or not I prefer a hard wired internet and xbox live for consoles.......And if you really want to save money and love the 360 go Ebay. I brought a 360 arcade at walmart for $190. On Ebay I brought a hdmi, 120 gb hard drive, an extra controller and battery pack all for $80 bucks. Like I said before I prefer a wired connection And Amazon he xbox live cards on sale for $35......Total $305. So......what?
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jstern wrote:
HighTension wrote:
This brings up the thing that bugs me the most about the PS3 vs. 360 war. Everyone said the PS3 is too expensive but the 360 ends up being oodles of more money in the long run.I have to defend it on the wireless and batteries, since many people use rechargable AA batteries, and the majority of people are fine just connecting it wired, especially for online gaming, and would rather save that money. And if not just buy the wireless adapter. And the blu ray is not free on the PS3, it's the main reason why it costs so much and it is in last place.And for the record I rather have a PS3 because it's quieter than the 360.
1) Wireless adapter - $100 (Built in wireless card, Free with PS3)
2) Batteries for the oversized, and not so ergonomically designed controller - $60 for 5 years (Built-in charger for the slick controller, Free with PS3)
3) Subscription to play your friends online - $250 for 5 years (Free with PS3)
4) Obsolete HD Drive - $50 (non-obsolete Blu Ray, Free with PS3)
5) Upgraded hard drive - $?? (3rd party cheaper drive for PS3)
Over a 5 year span you have to pay at least another $460 just to meet what the PS3 has.
There, I said my piece! I feel better now...
Good point on Blu Ray remark. I knew it from the start but nobody else ever mentioned it.
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weinymew wrote:
I love this same old argument with the 360's cost. It like saying my Hyundai Genesis cost less than your Honda Accord because #1. Hyundai comes with a real nice stereo and if you wahnt the same kindda stereo in your accord you have to pay 1000 bucks plus labor.......blah blah blah. I brought my video game systems for the games and if you believe it or not I prefer a hard wired internet and xbox live for consoles.......And if you really want to save money and love the 360 go Ebay. I brought a 360 arcade at walmart for $190. On Ebay I brought a hdmi, 120 gb hard drive, an extra controller and battery pack all for $80 bucks. Like I said before I prefer a wired connection And Amazon he xbox live cards on sale for $35......Total $305. So......what?
I hate to do this, but can you tell us why you had to by two 360's? I'm jusst curious if it had something to do with RRoD? I still can't millions of people would buy into that extended warranty bullshit instead of using the power of numbers,banding together and making Microsoft pay for screwing over their loyal fans (not saying this is what happened to you,but I am curious)
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Amen he had said it all... ohh and dont forget, $299 of another xbox when ill suffer the RROD. HAHAHA
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