I was like you and didn’t like curved TVs… but I have ultra wide curved displays at home/work, and this use case is awesome! Every part of the screen is about the same distance from my eyes. A typical 34” (3440x1440) is about the same pixel count as 2.5 1080p displays, but with no bezels to split the screen… so it’s perfectly centered. With separate displays I need to center one and set one way off to the side, or center the bezel split and need to always turn my head one way or the other. Webcam is centered. Cable management is easier (one power, one signal). Brackets are less bulky. Desk is cleaner looking.

You’ll get a little less area than 2x 27” 1440p displays.

I don’t know how important HDR is to you. I’ve always had good luck with Dell ultrasharp longevity. They have a 34” for $350.

Dell Curved Gaming, 34 Inch Curved Monitor with 144Hz Refresh Rate, WQHD (3440 x 1440) Display, Black - S3422DWG https://a.co/d/hOrP5cv

There's those gigabyte ones that hardware unboxed seems to like. Good price too.

This is the one I use: DELL S2721DGF

It's really good and pretty cheap for it's weight class. Only bad thing about it is it's HDR, its' really ugly. You can also look at other displays on the website I linked, rtings is very trustworthy

100% recommended 1440p, anything over 100 refresh rate, definitely HDR, I am in love with my gigabyte monitor, I got an abnormally large size not sure which, but, something extremely close to this:

https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Monitor-Display-Response-FreeSync/dp/B08JWCHR5N/ref=asc_df_B08JWCHR5N&mcid=b34085b632e03e78ab235d4806c47a22?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401905752532&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584001431258764&psc=1

I use a benq 4k color correct monitor. My laptop and ipad acts as a separate displays which usually is enough.

Recently picked up a pair of ASUS VG27AQ. I had to calibrate them with my x1 idisplay, but the end result was quite good.

Why don't you want to go with 2x 4k? I have 2x 28'' 4k and I think it's totally awesome.

Ive been looking into the Gigabye M27Q Pro or the Acer equivalent. Seems like it might fit your bill too?

There's plenty of not curved monitors these days in fact you pretty much have to go looking for one if you want it.

Look at Pixio, same panels from South Korea as many of the big names, but at much more affordable prices.