TL;DR
Get backup power and energy gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Apple HomeView comes in two $299 versions: a tabletop display with a speaker base and a wall-mounted model that needs a separate mount. The tabletop version is simpler to set up and has stronger audio; wall mounting offers USB-C, hardwired AC and Power over Ethernet options, with added costs and installation requirements.
Apple is offering its HomeView smart display in two versions, both priced at $299, but buyers must choose between a tabletop model with a speaker base and a wall-mounted model that requires a separate mount. A CNET report says the choice affects audio, installation and additional costs, and cannot be changed later by purchasing the other configuration.
Both configurations include a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and are designed to serve as a central screen for entertainment, smart-home controls and home-security monitoring. The report says both support face recognition for personalized accounts, Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, Find My and Siri AI. The tabletop screen is attached to its speaker base; it is not detachable.
The tabletop model plugs into a nearby outlet using a power adapter and USB-C cable. Its base includes down-firing woofers, two passive radiators and two full-range drivers, giving it more speaker power than the wall-mounted version. CNET’s report describes the sound as loud and deep in a spacious demonstration area, but that is the reviewer’s assessment rather than a published audio specification.
The wall-mounted model costs the same but does not include the tabletop speaker base. Apple offers three Schneider Home mounts: a USB-C wall connector for $59.95, a hardwired AC mount for $79.95, and a Power over Ethernet mount for $129.95. The USB-C option also requires a separate 20-watt power adapter. The AC mount supplies 30 watts through a single-gang wall box; the PoE option carries power and a wired internet connection over Ethernet.
The Mount Choice Changes the Cost
The $299 sticker price does not capture the full cost of a wall-mounted setup. Depending on the mount, buyers may pay an additional $59.95 to $129.95, and the USB-C option also needs a compatible power adapter if they do not already own one. The report says Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the hardwired AC mount. Buyers should factor in installation costs as well as the hardware price.
The configurations also serve different priorities. The tabletop model combines simpler setup and stronger audio, making it a more flexible choice for renters or people who want a speaker as well as a display. Wall mounting may suit buyers who want a fixed dashboard for smart-home controls, calendars or security, but it trades away the speaker base and can involve more complex installation. The PoE mount may be useful where compatible Ethernet wiring and network equipment are already available, since it provides a wired connection rather than relying on Wi-Fi.
Products Worth Considering
Philips Hue Play Gradient 65-Inch Smart TV Light Strip
Levoit Core 400S-P Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms
Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum, Bordeaux
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Two Fixed HomeView Configurations
The CNET report describes HomeView as an upcoming Apple smart display, with a stated Nov. 13 release and preorders expected before then. It presents the product as a central screen for controlling compatible smart-home devices and accessing Apple services. The available source does not specify the year for that release date.
The key point for shoppers is that the two $299 choices are not interchangeable add-ons. According to the report, buyers cannot purchase the wall-mounted display and later add the tabletop base, or buy the tabletop model and convert it to the wall-mounted configuration. The display’s intended placement and use therefore need to be decided at purchase.
“For most homeowners, I’d go with the AC Wired mount.”
— Michael Malfettone, owner of Malfettone Electric and a licensed master electrician, quoted by CNET
Installation and Service Details Pending
The source does not give a typical electrician’s labor cost for installing the hardwired AC mount, so the total price of that setup is not established. Apple recommends a licensed electrician for that installation, but the report does not provide a required installation procedure or local permitting guidance.
Details about the reported ADT installation service also remained unanswered when CNET published its report. The article says it was awaiting clarification from Apple about whether ADT is an Apple partner or whether customers can book directly with ADT. It also does not specify the year associated with the Nov. 13 release date or provide a complete breakdown of compatibility requirements for connected smart-home devices.
Check Your Setup Before Ordering
Before preordering, buyers should decide whether they need the tabletop speaker base, a fixed wall display, or a wired network connection. Wall-mount shoppers should check for a nearby outlet or the required Ethernet and PoE equipment, and include the mount and any power adapter in their budget. Anyone considering the hardwired AC option should consult a licensed electrician about installation and applicable local requirements rather than treating it as a standard plug-in setup.
The next details to watch for are the product’s confirmed release timing and any clarification from Apple about ADT installation services. Until those are available, installation availability and labor costs remain uncertain.
Key Questions
Do both Apple HomeView models cost $299?
Yes. The CNET report lists both the tabletop and wall-mounted HomeView at $299. Wall mounting requires a separate mount, which costs $59.95, $79.95 or $129.95 depending on the option.
Can I add a tabletop base to the wall-mounted model later?
According to the report, no. The two configurations are not interchangeable: buyers cannot add a base to the wall-mounted version or convert the tabletop model to the wall-mounted one after purchase.
Which HomeView model has stronger speakers?
The tabletop model has the speaker base, which includes down-firing woofers, two passive radiators and two full-range drivers. The wall-mounted version does not include that base.
Does the wall-mounted HomeView need an electrician?
Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the hardwired AC mount. The USB-C wall connector is described as a self-install option, while the PoE mount requires compatible Ethernet wiring and a power-over-Ethernet network switch. Check the installation requirements and local rules before work begins.
What does the PoE mount provide?
The Power over Ethernet mount uses one Ethernet run to provide both power and a wired network connection. It costs $129.95 and requires compatible PoE networking equipment and an Ethernet run to the mount.
Source: rss
