See my buying experience above: US$387 for an LG 32" UHD monitor to use with an M2 Macbook Air in clamshell mode.
For video-conferencing, I just need to open up the Macbook Air and use its camera. This actually has a better camera than the iMac.
The USC-c port on the monitor is supposed to be able to power the laptop with up to 60W. I will test this later today as it reduces the number of cables on my desk. You can power the Macbook via its Thunderbolt/USB-c port instead of the Magsafe port so one cable serves for power and video. And I still have the second TB/USB-c port for peripherals like external storage.
Even better, after taking that photo I tried plugged the external HD into the USB-A (?) port on the back of the monitor and it showed up as mounted on the Macbook. So most of the time I only need to plug the white USB-c cable into the Macbook for power, monitor & external hard drive (the wireless keyboard was charging in the photo).