This is a truly excellent product for the Xbox. It was originally designed for the first Xbox console, but it works flawlessly with the current generation XBox 360.
This product basically works like an ethernet bridge. Once you have set it up, it should work with any device that has an ethernet adapter. You will need to connect it to your XBox 360 at first. Once it has established a connection with your access point, you can then move it to any ethernet-enabled device and it should work.
I could not decide whether to locate my wireless router close to my XBox 360, or close to my desktop computer. I needed an adapter that would work for either one. In the end, I ended up moving the router closer to the computer, away from the XB360. The XB360 is the one using this wireless adapter. The computer is connected directly to the router. But, I could have gone with the opposite set up.
It has been working fine for me. I use the console every day, downloading content from XBox Marketplace. And so far, this adapter has maintained reliable connectivity. Transfer rate is more than satisfactory, as the real bottleneck is the internet connection and not the home network. I also like the fact that this adapter has its own power supply and does not depend on the console's USB port for power.
Microsoft very rarely puts out a product that does not require some type of correction throughout its life cycle. Heck, they are still patching up Windows Xp seven years later! The XBox 360 console itself is still haunted by frequent hardware failures, even three years after its debut. But Microsoft got this one right. This is one microsoft product that works like it should. You will not need to install the included software if you are going to use it on a 360.
Should you buy this adapter, or the one specifically designed for the XB360? This one is about $30 cheaper. But it does have a separate chassis, and does require its own power supply. Whereas the XB360-specific adapter is a small, USB device that snaps and locks onto the back of the console. In other words, the more expensive device is a neater solution, especially if you have a white XB360. All you will see from the front is a small antenna. And the USB adapter will turn off when the console is off. This one will continue to run until you unplug its independent power supply. The adapter is black in color and does not match the white color of the Arcade and the Pro consoles. On the other hand, if you have an Elite console, the black box that is this adapter does not look bad at all. Performance should be roughly same. They are both capable of 802.11G operation.
This is a better deal than the USB adapter. And it is also more versatile because it can work with other ethernet devices. Highly recommended.
