Tabletop/laptop minipanel - most usable design?

[Martoon]

I'm going to build a mini joystick panel for one Sanwa stick and six Sanwa buttons.  I want something I can easily get out and use while sitting in front of my computer.

I'm trying to determine what would be the most comfortable and playable placement and design.  It seems my options are:

1. On the desktop (in front of the monitor).

2. On my lap.

3. Clamped onto the front edge of the desk.

For #1 (on the desktop), I can push my keyboard back under the front edge of the monitor (but I can still access the keys), leaving a good 12 inches of desktop between me and the keyboard (plenty for a minipanel).  My concern about this is that the top of the panel might be up a little high for comfy use while in my chair.

For #2 (on my lap), I could make something that fit comfortably over my legs.  My main concern about this is that my chair has armrests, so there isn't any elbow room.  Since my hands would be down lower, my elbows would be between the armrests, not on top.  Not really a problem when using a gamepad, but I think there's a little more "elbow action" when using a real joystick.

For #3 (clamped onto front of desk), I could use releasable clamps attached to the panel so that the panel is at a nice sloping angle extending from the front of the desk.  My "desk" is actually one of those plastic injection-molded office tables, so I'm a little concerned about how stable the panel would be clamping on to that.  Also, I'm not sure what kind of clamps I would use and what they would cost (I'm trying to keep this panel cheap).  This design would also be the biggest pain to get out and put away.

So, any thoughts from anyone who actually uses a minipanel in front of a computer?