• Most wireless Xbox 360 accessories can be made compatible with laptops.controller image by Thommi from Fotolia.com
  
  Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming console is the company's second video game system after the original Xbox. With the Xbox 360, Microsoft decided to revamp their Xbox controller, slimming it down while leaving the same basic button layout. While the wired version of the Xbox 360 controller is compatible with computers, the console's wireless accessories lacked support until Microsoft released the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows in 2007.
  
  

Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows

• Microsoft's Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows is a wireless receiver for Windows-based PCs. This USB-connected receiver allows many of Microsoft's wireless accessories designed for the Xbox 360 to work with PC games. Similar to the type of dongle that connects a wireless mouse or keyboard, the small device uses a 2.8 GHz wireless connection that's claimed to work up to 30 feet away. The dongle features a six-foot cable and allows the connection of up to four wireless Xbox 360 controllers, four Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Headsets and the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, which is used in driving and racing games.
  
  

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller and Racing Wheel

• Using the Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows, up to four wireless Xbox 360 controllers can be connected to one computer at the same time. Connecting the controllers simply requires you to press the controller's sync button and the connection button on the receiver, although Cnet warns that a nearby Xbox 360 may pick up the signal instead and interrupt the connection. PCs with Windows XP and newer Microsoft operating systems can use the controllers on most games labeled as "Games for Windows Live," although compatibility extends to any game that allows the use of a typical PC controller. Microsoft's Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel features the same support as the Wireless controller, though its design makes it suitable only for racing games.
  
  

Xbox 360 Wireless Headsets

• While the Xbox 360's wireless controller can be used for PC games, the console's wireless headset has much broader PC support. In their review of the Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows, Cnet affirms that the receiver allows the wireless headset to be used for nearly anything the PC user would require headphones or a microphone for, including online games with chat functionality.
  
  

Other Accessories

• While Microsoft promises support for "future Xbox 360 Wireless Accessories," as of January 2011, only the controllers, headsets and racing wheel are compatible through their wireless receiver. Despite the promise, devices like the Xbox 360 Chatpad and the Kinect motion-sensing device lack PC support.