getting a new xbox360 and want to get wifi going on it. Don't really feel like paying $80ish for the official adapter. Can I use a 'standard' usb wireless adapter or is there a specific 'generic' model I can use?

No, and no.

really? so only the official adapters work? that stinks. maybe i can find a cheap one on ebay

You can use the original Xbox 1 adapter or a router in bridge mode.

yeah thats what i do with my laptop running win 7.

go to network sharing center
then change adapter settings
right click and go to properties on each of the two connections you want to bridge
go to the sharing tab in each and make sure the internet connection sharing button in NOT clicked
then hold Ctrl and highlight both connections you want to bridge
right click still holding Ctrl and then bridge connections.
now i forgot weather or not you need a crossover patch cable or if a regular patch cord works. i wanna say a regular one will work. could be wrong though.

hope this helps feel free to clarify this anyone

when connecting it you need a crossover cable, or a simple hub or switch with regular cable will do. good luck!!
does anyone kno if this would work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16833704048

It looks like it would work.

The specs say:
Supports multiple operating modes (Access Point, Client, Universal/ WDS Repeater, Wireless Bridge)

I would assume wireless bridge is all you would need. $34 is a nice price and it can be used for other things. If someone buys it, please verify it works!

Actually, i think it is possible to hack a cheaper usb wireless dongle, since it is the same chip and if it is possible to edit product id and vendor id on its firmware, as it is known it is possible on broadcoms mini pci-express cards. It's like the hard-drive, xbox identifies it as a compatible product from vendor id and product id, once hacked it works as a genuine product.

I could ship u a router for $40 which has DD-WRT flashed onto it, and just use wireless bridge mode to pickup the wireless signal and connect the router to xbox's ethernet port.

Or I think ASUS makes a small router which is like a 4 in 1 and you can use that as a wireless adapter to the xbox's ethernet port.

If you're interested in the router PM me.