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Apple offers HomeView in two $299 configurations: a tabletop model with a speaker base and a wall-mounted model that requires a separate mount. The tabletop version is easier to install and offers stronger sound, while wall mounting adds choices about wiring, network access and potential installation costs.
Apple is offering its HomeView smart display in two $299 models—a tabletop version with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version that needs a separate mount—so buyers must choose their setup before ordering. A CNET report says the models share core display and smart-home features, but differ in sound, power and installation, with some wall mounts intended for licensed-electrician installation.
Both versions have a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and are designed to provide a central screen for entertainment, smart-home controls and home-security monitoring. According to the report, both support face recognition for personalized accounts, as well as Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, Find My and Siri AI. CNET also clarifies that the tabletop screen is attached to its speaker base; it is not a detachable display that can later be converted to a wall-mounted setup.
The tabletop model costs $299 and includes a base with down-firing woofers, two passive radiators and two full-range drivers. It uses a standard power adapter and USB-C cable, making it the simpler choice for people who want to place the device near an outlet without a permanent installation. CNET’s reviewer described its audio as loud, with deep sound in a spacious demonstration area; that is the reviewer’s assessment, not a published independent measurement.
The wall-mounted HomeView also costs $299, but does not include the tabletop speaker base. Apple-listed Schneider Home mount options cited by CNET cost $59.95 for a USB-C wall connector, $79.95 for a hardwired AC mount and $129.95 for a Power over Ethernet (PoE) mount. The USB-C option requires a separate 20-watt adapter and leaves a visible cable. The AC mount provides 30 watts through a single-gang wall box; Apple recommends a licensed electrician for installation. The PoE option carries power and a wired internet connection over Ethernet, but requires compatible PoE network equipment and an Ethernet run.
Choose the Setup Before Ordering
The models have the same listed purchase price, but the wall-mounted choice adds the cost of a mount and may add adapter, wiring or professional labor expenses. Buyers should compare the full setup cost—not just the $299 device price—before choosing. The report says the two configurations cannot be swapped by adding a base or mount later, so the initial decision affects both placement and audio.
For renters or people prioritizing flexible placement and stronger sound, the tabletop model avoids permanent wiring. A wall-mounted unit may better suit a fixed smart-home dashboard, but the installation choice depends on the home’s existing outlets, electrical box and network wiring. Hardwired electrical work should be handled by a licensed electrician, consistent with Apple’s recommendation for the AC mount.
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Three Wall-Mount Choices
CNET’s report frames HomeView as a potential central smart-home screen, with widgets for quick access to compatible devices. The choice between tabletop and wall placement therefore affects how the screen fits into a home, not the reported core feature set. The tabletop base adds audio; wall mounting trades that base for a fixed position and, depending on the mount, a wired power or network connection.
The USB-C wall connector is described as the easiest and least expensive mount, though its cable remains visible and it requires a separate 20-watt adapter. The AC Wired option is designed to sit flush against the wall and connects through a single-gang box. The more expensive PoE mount is intended for homes with suitable Ethernet wiring and a PoE switch; its direct network connection does not rely on Wi-Fi. CNET quotes electrician Michael Malfettone as saying PoE makes the most sense where Ethernet already exists or is being installed during a remodel.
“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 speaker base
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Installation and Service Details
The report does not provide a complete estimate of electrician labor costs, which will vary by location and by the work required in an individual home. It also says Apple had not immediately responded to a request for details about ADT installation service for the hardwired options, including whether that service is an Apple partnership or can be booked directly through ADT. The source does not give further terms or availability for that service.
The available information also does not establish whether buyers can purchase other mount accessories outside the listed options or change configurations after ordering. CNET says the tabletop model and wall-mounted model cannot be converted into one another by buying a base or mount later. Buyers should check current product and installation details with Apple before purchase, particularly because the source is a report prepared ahead of the stated release.
HomeView wall mount installation kit
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Check Costs Before Release
HomeView was due for release on Nov. 13, according to the report, which advised readers to make their selection before preordering. Before committing, buyers considering a wall installation should confirm the mount price, adapter or network-equipment needs, installation requirements and any available service arrangements. Homeowners planning hardwired work should consult a licensed electrician; renters should confirm what drilling or wiring changes their lease permits.
Apple’s response on ADT service and any further installation information were not included in the source material. Those details, along with the final cost of a wired installation, remain relevant points to verify as availability approaches.
Apple HomeView compatible Ethernet mount
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Key Questions
Do both HomeView models cost $299?
Yes. The report lists both the tabletop and wall-mounted HomeView at $299. The wall-mounted version requires a separate mount, adding to the total cost.
Can the tabletop HomeView be detached from its speaker base?
No. CNET reports that the tabletop screen is attached directly to its speaker base. The two configurations cannot be converted by purchasing a base or mount later.
Which wall mount is the least expensive?
The Schneider Home USB-C Power Mount is listed at $59.95. It includes an attached USB-C cable, but requires a separate 20-watt power adapter and leaves the cable visible.
Does the hardwired AC mount need an electrician?
Apple recommends that a licensed electrician install the $79.95 AC Wired mount. It connects through a single-gang wall box and is designed to sit flush against the wall.
What does the PoE mount require?
The $129.95 PoE mount requires an Ethernet run to the mount and a compatible power-over-Ethernet network switch. It carries power and a wired internet connection over the same cable, according to the report.
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