TL;DR
Apple offers HomeView in two $299 versions: a tabletop model with a speaker base and an option for wall mounting. The tabletop unit is easier to set up and has stronger audio; the wall-mounted version requires a separate mount, with some installation options involving a licensed electrician. Buyers cannot switch models by purchasing a base later.
Apple’s HomeView smart display is available in two $299 models—a tabletop version with a speaker base and an option designed for wall mounting—and buyers need to choose before ordering because the models cannot be converted into each other later. A CNET report says the choice affects audio, setup, and potential mounting and installation costs ahead of the product’s stated Nov. 13 release.
Both models include a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and are designed to serve as a central screen for entertainment, smart-home management and home security monitoring. CNET reports that both support face recognition for personalized accounts, Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, Find My and Siri AI. The report also clarifies that the tabletop screen is attached to its speaker base; it is not a detachable display that can later be moved to a wall mount.
The tabletop model comes with down-firing woofers, two passive radiators and two full-range drivers. CNET’s reviewer said it produced strong, room-filling sound during a demonstration. It uses a power adapter and USB-C cable, making it the simpler option for renters or anyone who wants to place the screen near an outlet without permanent installation.
The wall-mounted model has no speaker base, so buyers give up that additional audio hardware. Apple offers three Schneider Home mounts, according to CNET: a $59.95 USB-C Power Mount, which requires a separate 20-watt adapter; a $79.95 AC Wired mount, which connects to power through the wall; and a $129.95 PoE Wired mount, which carries power and internet over Ethernet. The wired AC and PoE options require compatible home wiring, and Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the AC installation.
The Mount Can Change the Total Cost
The shared $299 device price does not mean the two setups cost the same to complete. Wall buyers need to add a mount, and the USB-C option may also require a power adapter. A hardwired setup can bring professional installation costs on top of the hardware price; CNET says Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the AC Wired mount. The source does not provide an electrician’s typical fee, so the full installed price is not established.
The decision also shapes how the product works in a room. The tabletop option adds stronger audio and flexible placement, while a wall-mounted HomeView is positioned more as a fixed dashboard for calendars, compatible smart-home controls and security monitoring. Buyers considering it as a main hub should weigh the planned location, existing wiring and network setup—not just the display’s price.
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Two Setups, One Display Price
CNET’s report frames HomeView as a forthcoming smart display for users who want a central interface for household devices and services. Apple’s two configurations share the same stated $299 price and core screen features, but differ in their physical design: one includes a speaker base, and the other is intended to attach to a wall using a separately purchased mount.
The mounts offer different trade-offs. The USB-C wall connector is described as the easiest and least expensive route, though its cable may remain visible between the screen and an outlet. The AC Wired mount is designed to sit flush and draw power through a standard single-gang wall box. PoE combines a wired network connection with power, but requires an Ethernet run and a compatible power-over-Ethernet switch. CNET quoted licensed master electrician Michael Malfettone on choosing among them based on a home’s existing wiring and the buyer’s preferences.
“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
The source does not state how much a licensed electrician would charge to install the AC Wired mount, so buyers cannot calculate a complete installed cost from the listed mount price alone. CNET also says it was waiting for details from Apple about the ADT installation service mentioned for the PoE mount, including whether it is an Apple partnership or a service customers can book directly through ADT.
The report gives a Nov. 13 release date but does not specify the year in the supplied material. It also does not establish whether all listed mounts or installation services will be available in every location. Buyers should confirm current availability and compatibility with Apple or the relevant installer before making plans.
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Check Wiring Before Ordering
Before ordering, buyers should decide whether they want the tabletop speaker base or a permanent wall installation, then check the selected mount’s power and network requirements. For PoE, that means confirming an Ethernet run and compatible switch; for AC Wired, it means checking the wall box and arranging a licensed electrician as Apple recommends. Anyone choosing the USB-C mount should account for the separate 20-watt adapter if they do not already own one.
CNET said it was seeking further information from Apple about ADT service and had not received an immediate response. That detail, along with installation pricing and the applicable release-year schedule, remains pending in the supplied report.
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Key Questions
Do both Apple HomeView models cost $299?
Yes. CNET reports that both the tabletop and wall-mounted HomeView models are priced at $299. Wall-mount hardware is sold separately, and some setups may add adapter or installation costs.
Can I buy the tabletop model and add a wall mount later?
No, according to the report. The tabletop display is attached to its speaker base, and buyers cannot purchase the wall-mounted model and add a base later—or convert the tabletop version into the wall-mounted one.
Which model is better for renters?
The tabletop model is easier to move and requires only a power adapter and USB-C cable plugged into an outlet. The USB-C wall mount may also suit some renters, but it requires attaching a mount and can leave a visible cable.
Which wall mount needs an electrician?
Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the $79.95 AC Wired mount, which runs power through the wall. The PoE mount also depends on suitable Ethernet wiring and network equipment; check installation requirements with a qualified professional where needed.
What is not yet known about HomeView installation?
The report does not give electrician labor rates or full installed costs. CNET also said it was awaiting details from Apple about how the ADT installation service for the PoE mount works.
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