TL;DR
Apple HomeView is offered in two $299 versions: a tabletop display with a speaker base and a wall-mounted model without that base. The choice is fixed at purchase, and wall mounting can add costs for a mount, power adapter or professional installation.
Apple’s HomeView smart display will come in two $299 models—a tabletop version with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version—and buyers cannot switch between them by purchasing a base later, according to a CNET report. The choice affects audio, installation and potential added costs for anyone planning to use HomeView as a smart-home hub when it goes on sale Nov. 13.
Both models include a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and are designed to support entertainment, smart-home management and home security monitoring. CNET reports that both also support face recognition for personalized accounts, Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, Find My and Siri AI. The report says the tabletop screen is attached to its base; it is not a detachable display that can later be moved to a wall mount.
The tabletop model includes a speaker base with down-firing woofers, two passive radiators and two full-range drivers. It connects to a nearby outlet using a power adapter and USB-C cable, without requiring permanent installation. CNET’s reviewer described its sound during a demonstration as loud, with deep bass, making it a more direct fit for buyers who value audio or want a portable setup within the limits of its power cord.
The wall-mounted model costs the same but does not include the speaker base, leaving the display’s built-in speakers. Apple offers three Schneider Home mounting options, according to CNET: a $59.95 USB-C mount that requires a separate 20-watt adapter; a $79.95 hardwired AC mount that Apple recommends a licensed electrician install; and a $129.95 Power over Ethernet mount for homes with compatible Ethernet wiring and network equipment. The latter supplies power and a wired internet connection through one Ethernet run.
The Model Choice Sets the Setup
Because the two models share a price but differ in audio and installation, the decision is not simply about where to place a screen. A buyer who wants stronger sound or a setup that avoids wall work has a clear reason to choose the tabletop version. Someone who wants a fixed dashboard for calendars, compatible smart-home controls or security monitoring may prefer a wall-mounted display, but must account for the mount and installation requirements.
The advertised $299 price does not cover every wall setup. The USB-C mount brings the listed mount cost to $358.95 before the required power adapter, while the wired options cost $379.95 or $429.95 before any installation charge. Those totals are arithmetic based on the prices reported by CNET; the source does not provide electrician or ADT service prices. A wired installation also makes the decision more consequential for renters and for people who do not already have the needed wiring.
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Three Mounts, Different Requirements
CNET describes the USB-C connector as the self-install option. It attaches to the wall but leaves a visible cable running toward an outlet. That may suit someone who accepts the appearance and can make the required small mounting holes, but the report says buyers must purchase a separate 20-watt adapter if they do not already have one.
The AC Wired mount is intended to connect through a single-gang wall box and sit flush with the wall. Apple recommends a licensed electrician for installation, according to the report. The PoE mount needs an Ethernet run and a power-over-Ethernet network switch; in return, it offers a wired network connection rather than relying on Wi-Fi. Licensed master electrician Michael Malfettone told CNET that the AC Wired option is a fit for many homeowners, while PoE is more relevant to homes with existing Ethernet or a remodel that includes new wiring.
These differences matter because the wall-mounted version is not presented as a tabletop display with a removable base. There is no model-price difference, but the hardware and installation path vary. CNET also reports that buyers cannot add a base to the wall model later or convert the tabletop model into the wall-mounted one.
“For most homeowners, I’d go with the AC Wired mount.”
— Michael Malfettone, owner of Malfettone Electric and licensed master electrician, as quoted by CNET
Apple HomeView tabletop display with speaker base
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Installation and Service Details Pending
Final installation costs are not given for either wired mount, so the full price of a wall setup will depend on the home and the work required. CNET says Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the AC Wired mount, but the report does not establish whether every installation will require new wiring or provide a standard labor rate. Buyers should confirm the mount’s requirements and local rules with a qualified professional before work begins.
The report also says ADT service is available for the PoE mount, but Apple had not responded to CNET’s request for details about how that service is arranged. It remains unclear whether it is an Apple partnership or a service that customers book directly through ADT. The source does not provide further information about HomeView’s full compatibility list, final service terms or any additional purchase costs beyond the listed mounts and adapter.
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Check Fit Before Ordering
HomeView is scheduled for release on Nov. 13, according to the report, which discusses buying ahead of that date. Before ordering, shoppers should decide whether they want the tabletop speaker base or a fixed wall display, then check whether the selected mount works with their power and network setup. Anyone considering hardwired AC installation should consult a licensed electrician; PoE buyers should verify that an Ethernet run and compatible PoE switch are available.
More information from Apple about ADT service and any additional installation arrangements could clarify the total cost of wall mounting. Until those details are available, the listed mount prices should be treated as hardware costs, not complete installed prices. The central buying point remains straightforward: choose the model for the intended setup, because the two versions cannot be exchanged by adding the other model’s base later.
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Key Questions
How much do the two Apple HomeView models cost?
Both the tabletop and wall-mounted models cost $299, according to CNET. Wall mounting can add the price of a separate mount, and the USB-C option also requires a 20-watt power adapter.
Can the tabletop HomeView be detached from its speaker base?
No. CNET reports that the tabletop display is attached to its speaker base. The report says buyers cannot add a base to the wall model later or convert the tabletop model into the wall-mounted version.
Which wall mount is the least expensive?
The USB-C Power Mount costs $59.95 and is described as a self-install option. It uses a visible cable and requires a separate 20-watt adapter if the buyer does not already have one.
Does Apple recommend an electrician for HomeView installation?
Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the $79.95 AC Wired mount, according to CNET. The report does not give an electrician’s labor price, so buyers should confirm installation requirements and costs for their home before ordering.
What does the PoE mount require?
The $129.95 PoE mount requires an Ethernet run to the display and a compatible power-over-Ethernet network switch. It carries power and a wired internet connection over the same cable, rather than relying on Wi-Fi.
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