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Apple’s HomeView comes in tabletop and wall-mounted versions, both priced at $299, but the choice affects audio and installation. The tabletop model includes a speaker base and needs only a nearby outlet; wall mounting requires a separate mount, with hardwired options that may call for professional installation.
Apple’s HomeView smart display is offered in two $299 models—a tabletop version with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version without it—and buyers cannot switch between the configurations by adding a base later, according to a CNET report. The distinction matters because the wall model also requires a separately purchased mount, and some installation options involve wiring and a licensed electrician.
Both versions have a 7-inch Liquid Retina display and are designed to serve as a central screen for entertainment, smart-home controls and security monitoring. The report says both support face recognition for personalized accounts, Messages, FaceTime, Calendar, Reminders, Find My and Siri. The tabletop screen is attached to its speaker base; it is not a detachable display that can later be moved onto a wall mount.
The tabletop model is the simpler setup: it plugs into a nearby outlet using a standard power adapter and USB-C cable. Its base includes down-firing woofers, two passive radiators and two full-range drivers, giving it more audio hardware than the wall-mounted device. CNET’s reviewer described the tabletop unit as loud during a demonstration, but that assessment is a hands-on impression rather than a published measurement.
Apple lists three Schneider Home wall-mount choices in the report. The USB-C Power Mount costs $59.95 and includes a cable, but buyers need a separate 20-watt adapter; the cable remains visible. The AC Wired mount costs $79.95, provides 30 watts through a single-gang wall box and is intended to sit flush. Apple recommends a licensed electrician for that installation. The PoE Wired mount costs $129.95 and carries power and a wired network connection over Ethernet, requiring a compatible PoE switch and Ethernet run.
The Model Choice Sets the Setup
Because the models have the same listed device price but different hardware, choosing one is not just a matter of where the screen will sit. Buyers prioritizing stronger built-in audio and flexible placement get those features with the tabletop unit. Those seeking a fixed dashboard may prefer a wall installation, but the mount and any required power adapter add to the total cost.
The decision may also affect whether a buyer can install the device without professional help. The USB-C mount is described as the self-install option, while Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the hardwired AC mount. A PoE setup depends on compatible network equipment and cabling, so its quoted mount price alone does not describe the full installation cost.
Apple HomeView tabletop smart display
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Three Mounts, Different Requirements
The report frames HomeView as a product intended to combine a smart display with controls for compatible home devices. Its wall-mounted configuration can be used for widgets and quick access to smart-home controls, while the tabletop model is positioned as a more portable-in-the-room option, though the display itself is attached to its base.
For the AC Wired option, licensed master electrician Michael Malfettone told CNET that he would choose it for many homeowners because it connects to home power, fits a standard single-gang box and leaves no visible cord. He said the USB-C mount may suit someone who accepts a visible cable or already has an outlet nearby. Malfettone said PoE makes most sense where Ethernet is already installed or is being run during a remodel.
On PoE, Malfettone described the appeal as a wired, always-online connection that does not depend on Wi-Fi, particularly for homes with substantial smart-home equipment or structured wiring. That is an expert’s view of the installation’s potential use, not a guarantee of product performance or compatibility with every home network.
“For most homeowners, I’d go with the AC Wired mount.”
— Michael Malfettone, owner of Malfettone Electric and licensed master electrician, quoted by CNET
Costs and Service Details Remain Open
The report does not provide a complete installed-cost estimate for either hardwired mount. The $79.95 and $129.95 figures are mount prices; electrician labor, any required wiring work and other equipment could add costs, but the source gives no estimates. It also does not establish whether every home has the electrical or network setup needed for each option.
CNET said it was waiting for more information from Apple about the ADT installation service offered for the PoE mount, including whether it is an Apple partnership or a service customers can book directly through ADT. The report also says an Apple representative had not immediately responded to a request for details about ADT service. Compatibility specifics for smart-home devices and the complete service terms are not provided in the supplied material.
Check the Setup Before Ordering
Before preordering, buyers should decide whether they want the tabletop speaker base or a permanently mounted screen, then check the requirements for the mount they are considering. That means confirming whether they have a suitable nearby outlet, a single-gang wall box or a compatible PoE switch and Ethernet run. For a hardwired AC installation, Apple recommends using a licensed electrician.
The report gives a Nov. 13 release date but does not specify the year. Buyers should check Apple’s current product and service information for availability, final installation arrangements and any updates to ADT details before placing an order. The supplied information does not confirm whether the listed prices or service options have changed since publication.
Key Questions
Do the two HomeView models cost different amounts?
No. The report lists both the tabletop and wall-mounted HomeView at $299. The wall-mount hardware is a separate purchase.
Can the tabletop HomeView be detached from its speaker base?
No. CNET reports that the tabletop display is attached directly to its speaker base, so buyers cannot later detach it and convert it to the wall-mounted configuration.
Which HomeView mount is the least expensive?
The 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 the cable remains visible.
Does Apple recommend professional installation?
Apple recommends a licensed electrician for the AC Wired mount, which connects through a wall box. The report describes the USB-C mount as the self-install option; PoE requires compatible networking equipment and an Ethernet run.
What is not yet known about ADT installation?
The report says ADT installation service is available for the PoE mount, but it does not clarify whether this is an Apple partnership or a service booked directly through ADT. The source said it was awaiting further details.
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