Xbox Slim, get $80(2.11n) free?

Wow. When Microsoft produced it's Wireless-n adapter for Xbox it was a dual edged sword. Finally, a console had Wireless-n and could stream true HD (full 1080p, DD 5.1) wirelessly from a Media Center extender and Netflix without lagging out. While on the other-hand, controllers for Wireless-N alreay enabled USB adapters for PC Devices for less than $25.

And now, with the Xbox Slim, MS is basically including it for free, as it always should have been. Still, should gamers give MS a pass on this egregious ripoff? And since Microsoft controls who can produce peripherals for the Xbox, should such a enormous profit margin on this peripheral be considered predatory or anticompetitive?

Lastly, with such huge profits on peripherals, just how profitable is the Xbox Division, really? If they're barely in the black gorging profits on hard drives and wireless controllers, maybe there really is something to Shareholders angst over Microsoft's gaming business.

I must admit, this year I switched from Xbox back to the PS3 with the release of the Slim. And after playing Uncharted, Burnout (on PS3), and RE5 (on PS3) I don't think I'm going back. But including wireless-N, combined with the features and usability of XBL (especially with the ESPN) deal, I'm really, really tempted. Especially with my recent frustration with some of the features and functionality lacking from PSN compared to XBL.

I almost pulled the trigger at Walmart today. But then I remembered, I was one of those suckers who bought the $80 Wireless-N adapter. I just can't reward MS for that with my third XBox purchase. PSN is good enough, for now.

For now, I'll hold out and await Sony's response, hopefully they're smart enough to know they need to have one. Make no mistake, Microsoft adding free Wireless-N to the XBox is huge. The problem is it cost them next to nothing now, and it cost them next to nothing when I paid $80 for it ...