AV Access iDock B10 Review: A Smart KVM Upgrade for Switching Between Desktop and Laptop
If you use both a desktop PC and a laptop on the same desk, you already know how messy things can get. One machine might be better for gaming or heavy local workloads. The other might be your work laptop. In theory, that sounds flexible. In practice, it often means too many cables, too many compromises, and way too much unplugging.
That was exactly my problem.
I needed a setup that let me switch easily between my desktop and laptop without giving up the things that mattered most to me: high refresh rate on my ultrawide, support for a second portrait monitor, proper USB performance for my peripherals, and clean charging over USB-C.
After trying a few workarounds, the AV Access iDock B10 turned out to be the solution that brought everything together.
My desk setup before the iDock B10
My desk setup is simple in concept but surprisingly tricky in practice:
- one ultrawide monitor that supports 120Hz
- one second monitor placed in portrait mode
- a desktop PC
- a laptop
- a set of shared peripherals:
- keyboard
- mouse
- webcam
- wireless headset
My ultrawide monitor has a built-in USB-C cable and can deliver up to 90W of power. On paper, that sounds great for a laptop dock setup. I could connect the laptop with one cable and charge it at the same time.
But there was a catch.
That setup made the ultrawide easy to use with the laptop, but it did not solve my full workflow. I still needed the laptop to work cleanly with the second portrait monitor, and I still needed an easy way to move all my USB devices between the laptop and desktop without juggling cables.
To work around that, I used a 4-port USB switcher for my keyboard, mouse, webcam, and wireless headset. It worked, but only in the most basic sense. I still had separate switching steps, more clutter on the desk, and a setup that felt cobbled together rather than properly designed.
Why the old setup was frustrating
The biggest issues with my previous setup were not dramatic. They were just constant.
First, the workflow was split across multiple devices. My displays were handled one way, my peripherals another way, and charging was its own separate concern. Nothing felt unified.
Second, it was hard to get the exact display setup I wanted on both machines. The ultrawide looked great, but once the second portrait monitor entered the picture, things got awkward fast.
Third, I was always aware of bandwidth limits. Basic devices are easy to switch. A 4K webcam is not something I want to bottleneck with a weak USB connection. The same goes for wireless headset receivers and any other higher-bandwidth accessories.
I wanted one box that could do this properly:
- switch both monitors
- switch USB peripherals
- keep the laptop charged
- maintain high display performance
- reduce cable clutter
- make switching happen with a single action
That is where the iDock B10 finally made sense.
What the AV Access iDock B10 does well
The AV Access iDock B10 is not just a KVM switch. It feels more like a hybrid between a KVM and a proper docking station.
For my use case, that distinction matters a lot.
Instead of treating monitor switching, USB switching, and laptop charging as three different problems, the iDock B10 brings them together into one device. That is what makes it so useful in a mixed desktop-and-laptop setup.
1. It handles my two-screen setup properly
The first big win is that I can connect my desktop PC to both screens and still get the experience I want on the ultrawide, including the full 120Hz refresh rate I care about.
That is a huge improvement over piecing the setup together with monitor inputs and separate USB switching. I do not have to think in terms of partial solutions anymore. The displays and peripherals now behave like part of one shared system.
For anyone who values a smooth desktop experience, this matters. Once you get used to 120Hz on an ultrawide, dropping down from that feels noticeable.
2. It gives me single-cable laptop convenience
One of the nicest parts of this setup is how clean the laptop connection becomes.
The iDock B10 supports up to 100W charging over USB-C, so I can connect the laptop and power it through the same connection. That means less clutter, fewer chargers on the desk, and less friction when docking and undocking.
In daily use, that makes a real difference. I can sit down, connect the laptop, press one button, and get to work.
3. It has enough USB bandwidth for real peripherals
This was a major selling point for me.
The iDock B10 supports 10Gbps USB, which is far more reassuring than relying on a basic USB switcher for demanding accessories. AV Access specifically markets the B10 around high-speed USB connectivity for fast transfers and high-bandwidth peripherals.
That means my 4K webcam can operate without feeling like the weak link in the chain. My keyboard and mouse are easy, of course, but the real benefit is knowing that more demanding devices are not being squeezed through a low-end switch.
4. Switching is genuinely easy
The whole point of a KVM is convenience, and this is where the iDock B10 delivers.
I can switch using the button on the unit or use the remote puck, which is even better for everyday use. AV Access also highlights button and wired remote switching as core B10 features.
That sounds like a small thing until you live with it. Not having to reach behind a monitor, move cables, or juggle separate switches is exactly the kind of quality-of-life improvement that makes a desk setup feel finished.
The feature I did not expect to appreciate so much: shared wired networking
Another feature that deserves more attention is the built-in Ethernet port.
The iDock B10 includes 1G Ethernet and AV Access says it can serve both connected computers simultaneously.
That is a smart addition because networking is often overlooked in these kinds of setups. In my case, it means both hosts can benefit from the same wired network connection while I switch between them. That keeps the desk cleaner and avoids one more thing to manually reconfigure.
It is not the flashiest feature, but it adds to the feeling that this device was designed around real hybrid desk setups instead of just spec-sheet checkboxes.
Why the iDock B10 fits my workflow so well
What I like most about the iDock B10 is not any single headline feature. It is the way the whole package lines up with a real mixed-device workflow.
My desktop gets the full dual-monitor setup I want.
My laptop gets USB-C docking and charging.
My peripherals switch with the displays.
My webcam is not held back by weak USB performance.
My network connection stays integrated.
And I do not need separate gadgets to glue all of that together.
That last point is important. Before this, my setup depended on stacking partial solutions. One piece handled charging. Another handled USB. Another handled display input switching. The iDock B10 replaces that mess with one central device.
What about MacBook users? Consider the iDock M10
This is an important distinction.
If you are mainly using a MacBook, AV Access recommends the iDock M10 instead. The official product page positions it specifically as a KVM docking station for MacBook, with dual-display support, 100W charging, and 10Gbps USB.
That makes sense because macOS and MacBook display support can be more nuanced than a standard Windows desktop or laptop setup. A product designed around MacBook workflows is often the safer choice if Apple hardware is your main machine.
So while I think the iDock B10 is a great fit for my own desktop-plus-laptop use case, I would point MacBook-first buyers toward the iDock M10.
Want to go bigger? The iDock B23 is the next step
If two monitors are not enough, AV Access also offers the iDock B23.
The B23 is positioned as a triple-monitor KVM docking station for one desktop and one laptop, with 100W PD and support for high resolutions and refresh rates.
That makes it the natural step up for users who want to go even further with a bigger workstation. If your workflow includes dashboards, development tools, editing timelines, chat windows, browser stacks, or monitoring panels across several screens, the B23 is the model worth looking at.
iDock B10 vs iDock M10 vs iDock B23
| Model | Best for | Monitor setup | Charging | USB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iDock B10 | Desktop + laptop mixed setups | 2 monitors | Up to 100W | 10Gbps | Best all-round option for my use case |
| iDock M10 | MacBook users | 2 monitors | Up to 100W | 10Gbps | Built for MacBook-focused workflows |
| iDock B23 | Advanced multi-monitor setups | 3 monitors | Up to 100W | High-speed USB | Best for users who want maximum screen space |
Who should buy the iDock B10?
I think the iDock B10 makes the most sense for people like these:
- users with a desktop PC and a laptop on the same desk
- people who want dual-monitor switching without compromise
- anyone who cares about clean USB-C charging
- users with high-bandwidth peripherals like 4K webcams
- remote workers who want a more polished desk setup
- gamers or creators who do not want to give up refresh rate and responsiveness
If your current setup relies on a mix of USB switchers, monitor input toggles, and spare chargers, this kind of KVM dock can simplify your life fast.
Pros and cons after using it in a real setup
Pros
- combines KVM switching and docking into one unit
- supports my two monitors cleanly
- keeps the ultrawide running at 120Hz
- gives me 100W USB-C charging for the laptop
- offers 10Gbps USB for demanding peripherals
- switching is easy with the button or remote puck
- built-in wired networking is a nice bonus
- reduces cable clutter in a meaningful way
Cons
- it is more of a premium solution than a cheap quick fix
- initial setup still takes a bit of planning
- the right model matters, especially if you are primarily on a MacBook
Frequently asked questions
Does the iDock B10 support dual monitors?
Yes. It is designed for dual-monitor desktop-and-laptop setups and worked well for my ultrawide plus portrait monitor arrangement.
Can the iDock B10 charge a laptop over USB-C?
Yes. It supports up to 100W power delivery, which is enough to replace a separate charger for many laptops.
Is 10Gbps USB actually useful on a KVM dock?
Absolutely. It matters most when you use devices like fast storage, a high-resolution webcam, or other peripherals that benefit from stronger bandwidth.
Is the iDock B10 a good choice for MacBook users?
It can work in mixed setups, but AV Access specifically recommends the iDock M10 for MacBook-focused workflows.
What if I want three monitors instead of two?
That is where the iDock B23 comes in. It is the triple-monitor option in the same family.
Does the Ethernet port switch too?
The iDock B10 includes 1G Ethernet and AV Access says the wired network can be shared between both connected computers simultaneously.
Final verdict
The AV Access iDock B10 solved a very specific problem for me, but I suspect I am not the only one with this kind of desk.
If you are trying to switch between a desktop and laptop while keeping two monitors, high refresh rate support, USB peripherals, and USB-C charging all working together, this is the kind of device that makes the whole setup feel sane again.
For me, the biggest benefit is not just the spec list. It is the reduction in friction.
One button.
One dock.
Two computers.
Two displays.
All the important peripherals.
That is exactly what I wanted.
Where to learn more
- iDock B10: AV Access iDock B10
- iDock M10: AV Access iDock M10
- iDock B23: AV Access iDock B23