Both HomeView models cost $299, but The Verge reports that the wall-mounted version needs a mount sold separately for at least $59. Plan on spending $358 or more before any installation costs.
What you need before you start
Apple’s HomeView is a smart home display that comes in two versions. One sits on a speaker base. The other is designed to be fixed to a wall. The Verge reports that both are priced at $299. It also reports that the wall-mounted model needs a mount that is sold separately and costs at least $59. That is the only pricing information confirmed here, so treat every other figure in your planning as an estimate.
Before you decide, have these to hand:
- A rough idea of where in your home the display would go.
- Some knowledge of the wall at that spot: plasterboard, brick, timber or tile.
- A budget that covers the mount and possibly installation, not just the display.
- A way to check Apple’s own product listing and the listing of any retailer you plan to buy from. Full specifications, mount options and what comes in the box are not covered in the reporting used for this guide.
You do not need tools at this stage. The first decision is about money and placement.
Compare the two models on total cost
Start with the full price, not the headline price. The speaker-base model costs $299 and, based on the reporting, needs nothing else to stand on a surface. The wall-mounted model also costs $299 but needs a mount that costs at least $59, so its minimum price is $358.
The Verge refers to “mounts” in the plural and gives only a minimum price. That suggests more than one mount may be available, possibly at different prices, but how many options there are and what the most expensive one costs is not known. Write down a range rather than a single number. Treat $358 as the lowest likely total and leave room for a pricier mount.
Then add anything you may need to pay a third party for, such as an electrician or handyperson. Those costs depend on where you live and what work is needed, so they cannot be estimated here.
Choose where the display will live
Placement matters more than anything else in this decision. A display on a speaker base can sit on a kitchen counter, a shelf or a sideboard and can be moved later. A wall-mounted display stays where you fix it.
Stand where you would use the display most and think about these points:
- Viewing height. Will it sit at a comfortable eye level for everyone in the household?
- Reach. If you plan to touch the screen, can people reach it without stretching? Whether HomeView has a touchscreen is not covered in the reporting used here, so check before you plan around it.
- Light. Will a window or ceiling light shine on the screen at certain times of day?
- Traffic. Is the spot in a corridor or doorway where it could be knocked?
If you cannot name one fixed spot you are happy with, that is a sign the speaker-base model may suit you better.
Confirm which mount you need before checkout
Because the mount is sold separately, it is easy to order the display and forget the mount. Before paying, confirm three things on the official listing or with the retailer:
- Which mount or mounts work with the wall-mounted model.
- The price of the mount you choose. The reported minimum is $59.
- Whether the mount is in stock at the same time as the display.
Buy both in the same order if you can. If they come separately, do not plan an installation date until both have arrived.
Check your wall and power arrangements
How the wall-mounted HomeView gets its power is not described in the reporting this guide relies on. That detail decides how much work the installation involves, so find it out before committing. A device powered by a cable running down to a socket is a simpler job than one that needs power brought through the wall. Read the official installation guidance once it is available.
Look at the wall itself too. Hollow plasterboard, solid masonry and tiled surfaces each need different fixings. Use a detector to check for cables and pipes behind the chosen spot before drilling. If the mount comes with fixings, check whether they suit your wall type rather than assuming they do.
Decide who will fit it
If you are confident with a drill and a spirit level, and the power arrangement is simple, you may be able to fit the mount yourself. If the work involves mains wiring inside a wall, hire a qualified electrician. In many countries, electrical work of that kind is regulated, so look up the rules where you live.
Include the cost of professional fitting in your comparison from the first step. A wall-mounted display that needs an electrician may end up costing well over the $358 minimum.
Common mistakes people make
- Comparing headline prices only. Both models show the same $299 price, which hides the extra cost of the mount.
- Ordering the display without the mount. The wall-mounted version cannot be fixed to a wall without a mount, so it may sit unused until one arrives.
- Assuming the mount includes installation. Buying a mount is not the same as having it fitted. Labour is a separate cost.
- Ignoring power until the drill is out. Not knowing how the device will be powered can turn a quick job into one that needs an electrician.
- Choosing a spot in a hurry. Moving a wall-mounted device leaves holes to fill and may mean buying new fixings.
- Assuming specifications match. Do not assume the two models have identical features apart from the stand. Check both listings, because the full specifications are not covered in the reporting used here.
When the wall-mounted version is the wrong choice
The wall-mounted HomeView is a poor fit if you rent and your tenancy limits drilling or alterations. It is also a weak option if you expect to move house soon, or if you have not settled on where the display should go. If you want the lowest outlay, the speaker-base model costs at least $59 less based on reported prices. If you might want to move the display between rooms, a freestanding unit is the practical option.
The wall version suits people with a clear, permanent spot in mind, a budget that covers the mount and any fitting, and a power arrangement they understand. If any of those is missing, wait or choose the speaker-base model.
Frequently asked questions
Does the wall-mounted Apple HomeView come with a mount?
According to The Verge, it does not. The wall-mounted HomeView costs $299, the same as the version with a speaker base, but the mount needed to fix it to a wall is sold separately. The Verge reports that the mount costs at least $59, so the lowest total for a wall installation is $358, before any installation labour.
How much does the Apple HomeView cost in total?
The Verge reports that both HomeView models cost $299. The speaker-base version appears to need nothing else to stand on a surface. The wall-mounted version needs a separately sold mount costing at least $59, which brings its minimum total to $358. The cost of professional installation, if you need it, is extra and depends on the work involved.
Which HomeView model should I buy?
Choose the speaker-base model if you want the lowest price, may want to move the display between rooms, or rent your home. Choose the wall-mounted model if you have a permanent spot in mind, can pay at least $59 more for the mount, and understand how it will be powered and installed. Check the official listings for any differences in specifications.
Can I install the HomeView wall mount myself?
That depends on your skills, your wall and how the device is powered, which is not described in the reporting used here. Fitting a bracket to a suitable wall is often a manageable job. If the installation involves mains wiring inside the wall, a qualified electrician should do it. Check the official installation guidance before you start drilling.
Sources and further reading
- The Verge, technology coverage reporting the HomeView pricing and the separately sold wall mounts
- Apple, official product listings and installation guidance for HomeView models
- National or local electrical safety regulators, guidance on who may carry out wiring work
- Consumer advice organisations, general guidance on comparing the total cost of home technology purchases
Surfaced from the rss:verge signal “smart display accessory pricing”. AI-assisted draft, editorially reviewed.
