Good color profile
The more bits, the better (no banding, please)
DP daisy-chaining support
Adjustability, pivot
Some form of cable management
fast power up
energy efficiency
Though 125% is pretty rough on integrated graphics in both windows and linux, so I'll likely be looking to get a bigger 4k monitor (32"?) that I can just run at 100% in the near future.
60hz is fine for text editing and web browsing (and the extremely light gaming that I do 2-3 times a year with friends).
I'd also prefer a display with integrated speakers so that a Chromecast could easily turn it into something useful when it gets replaced.
(I would probably try a Ultrawide next time, since its not a big difference in veritcal space with this monitor (scaled) compared to my old 22" display)
Fun fact: I called my spouse to see if she was cool with me getting one, she said "No... get 2", and my child has the other. 2 months later, the current health crisis hit, and you couldn't get anything at any price for quite a while.
4096x2160 true 4K resolution 24 or 27” 120 or 144hz refresh rate Under $1000
Too difficult to make happen?