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Apple’s HomeView is offered in two $299 versions: a tabletop display with a speaker base and adjustable tilt, and a wall-mounted model without that base. The wall version requires a separate mount, with options ranging from a $59.95 USB-C mount to a $129.95 Power over Ethernet mount; Apple’s release date is Nov. 13.
Apple’s HomeView smart display comes in two versions priced at $299 each, but the choice determines whether buyers get a speaker base or need to arrange a wall mount and, in some cases, professional electrical work. A CNET report says the tabletop model includes stronger speakers and automatic tilting, while the wall-mounted model is sold without that base and cannot later be converted into the tabletop setup.
Both models have a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and are designed to act as a central screen for entertainment, smart-home controls and home-security monitoring. CNET reports that each supports face recognition for personalized accounts, as well as Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, Find My and Siri AI. The core display and software features are therefore broadly shared; the main differences are the physical setup, audio and mounting requirements.
The tabletop version is attached to its speaker base rather than being a detachable screen. The base includes down-firing woofers, two passive radiators and two full-range drivers, according to CNET. It plugs into a nearby outlet with a power adapter and USB-C cable, and its tilt can be adjusted. CNET’s reviewer described the audio as loud, with deep sound in a spacious demonstration area; that is the reviewer’s assessment, not a published independent audio measurement.
Buyers choosing the wall-mounted model must also select a compatible mount. Apple lists three Schneider Home options: a $59.95 USB-C mount that needs a separate 20-watt adapter; a $79.95 AC-wired mount designed for a single-gang wall box and recommended by Apple for licensed-electrician installation; and a $129.95 Power over Ethernet mount, which needs compatible Ethernet wiring and a PoE network switch. The wall-mounted device does not include the tabletop speaker base, and the two $299 models are not interchangeable after purchase.
The Mount Changes the Real Cost
The $299 price does not cover the full wall-mounted setup. Buyers need to add a mount, and the USB-C option may also require a separate 20-watt power adapter. For the hardwired mounts, installation costs could add to the purchase price; CNET did not provide a typical electrician fee. The PoE route also assumes the home has suitable Ethernet cabling and network equipment, or that the owner is prepared to add them.
The choice affects daily use, not just appearance. The tabletop model provides more built-in audio and can be placed without a permanent installation, making it a simpler fit for renters or households that want a speaker as well as a display. A wall unit may suit buyers who mainly want a fixed dashboard for compatible devices, calendars and security controls. CNET cites an electrician who said hardwired AC can sit flush with no visible cord, while PoE provides a wired network connection that does not depend on Wi-Fi.
Since there is no option to buy one version and later add the other’s base, buyers should decide based on their room, wiring and intended use before ordering. The model label alone does not reveal the full cost or setup requirements.
Apple HomeView tabletop smart display
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Two Setups, One Display Price
CNET’s report is a pre-purchase comparison of Apple’s two HomeView configurations, published for people considering preorders ahead of a stated Nov. 13 release. It does not describe a change to the price or a newly announced feature; its focus is clarifying that the tabletop display is not detachable and that the wall-mounted product is a separate configuration.
The wall-mount choices cover different installation needs. The USB-C mount is the least expensive and can be fitted without wiring power through the wall, though its cable may remain visible. The AC-wired mount supplies power through a wall box and is intended for a flush appearance. The PoE mount combines power and a wired network connection over Ethernet, but depends on compatible wiring and equipment. CNET identifies ADT installation service as available for some wired options, while reporting that it had not received details from Apple about how that service is arranged.
““For most homeowners, I’d go with the AC Wired mount.””
— Michael Malfettone, owner of Malfettone Electric and a licensed master electrician, as quoted by CNET
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Installation Fees and Service Details
Electrician costs are not specified in the source report, so the total price of either hardwired setup cannot be calculated from the mount price alone. The report says Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the AC-wired mount, but does not establish whether professional installation is required in every location or what it will cost.
CNET said it was still waiting for details on how ADT installation service for the wired mounts works, including whether it is an Apple partnership or a service customers can book directly. The report also does not provide a complete independent assessment of HomeView’s smart-home compatibility, audio performance across settings or how all features will work after release. Buyers should check Apple’s current product and installation information before ordering.
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Check Setup Before Ordering
Before preordering, buyers should confirm which model they are selecting, whether its fixed or movable setup suits their home, and what power and network connections are available. Wall-mount shoppers should compare the mount price with any needed adapter, Ethernet equipment or electrician’s charge, and verify installation availability with Apple or the relevant provider.
HomeView was listed for release on Nov. 13 in CNET’s report. Further details about ADT installation and the final cost of professionally installed options were not available there. Those details, along with hands-on experience from customers after release, may help clarify the practical differences between the configurations.
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Key Questions
Do both Apple HomeView models cost $299?
Yes. CNET reports that the tabletop and wall-mounted models each cost $299. The wall-mounted model’s separate mount is an additional cost.
Can the wall-mounted HomeView later be used with a speaker base?
According to CNET, the models are not interchangeable: buyers cannot add a tabletop base to the wall-mounted version later, or turn the tabletop model into the wall-mounted setup.
Which HomeView model has the stronger speakers?
The tabletop model includes a speaker base with down-firing woofers, two passive radiators and two full-range drivers. The wall-mounted setup does not include that base.
What extra equipment does the USB-C wall mount need?
The $59.95 USB-C mount includes an attached cable, but it needs a separate 20-watt power adapter. CNET notes that the cable may be visible between the display and an outlet.
Does the PoE mount work without Ethernet wiring?
No. The $129.95 Power over Ethernet mount requires an Ethernet run and a compatible PoE network switch to provide both power and a wired internet connection.
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