I'm an apartment therapy n00b, so don't chastise as this is my first comment! I had the same issue as I live in a Railroad and everything is super narrow.

I would go for a console or sofa table to go along the side of the wall. This way half of it could be used as a catchall and the other half would be used as a desk (you can put a funky stool under the table to sit on).

I'm not sure what your style is, but here's one from ikea that kind of has a classic, mid modern look and isn't ridiculously priced. I'm sure Craigslist can offer something more solid if you wanted to go that route. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80103792/

Check out the Parson Console at West Elm. The console has a narrow profile so it does not protrude into the space, but is wide enough for to be used as a desk.

And the 2' Deep Picture Ledge at West Elm is perfect for a floating ledge perfect to put mail and keys on. I am currently using both. See the links below.

http://www.westelm.com/products/parsons-console-f790/?pkey=cparsons-office-furniture&cm_src=productsearch

http://www.westelm.com/products/deep-picture-ledge-w485/?pkey=e%7Cshelving%7C10%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C5&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

what about something along the lines of a secretary desk? you could use the top as a landing strip for keys and what not and the open it whenever you need to sit and work on your laptop. or really anything narrow that can fold out to be slightly wider to allow for more work space.

Google or EBay search for "spinet desk". I have my mother's, it folds up flat if you want to use it like a console but it opens up with little drawers & compartments and there is a sizeable kneehole drawer as well. They are usually small. Mine stands in my narrow front hall very nicely.

I like the BESTÅ BURS DVD shelf. It gives you surface on top and the open flap serves as a work space much like a secretary. My laptop fits nicely inside.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70103759/

A roll-out desk like this might work well:

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/componentDesks/bestSellingCombinations?productId=10021344&green=12115302395

It has plenty of space for keys and such, and you can put your monitor on the top section. If you just use a console, you might find it uncomfortable to sit so close to the monitor.

OOO, I second the idea of a roll-out desk if you can find a specific design you like and that fits the space!!

The work space can stay hidden underneath and you cal use the top of the desk (they almost always have a flat surface at the top) as your landing strip for keys, cell phone and so on).

Depend if you mind a more "busy" look or not, but if you like things to look sleek a roll-out desk would tuck your work space away nicely and clean up the space visually.

Along similar lines, Ikea came out with a new "laptop table" (as they call it) this year, it is not too big put the entire top lifts up to reveal a surface for your computer and a built in bulletin board of sort. It's small and stylish. Although it only comes in one color, at under 200 bucks it wont break the bank and you could always paint it to match your space!

Small spaces bring creativity to life. Good luck!

here is the link for the ikea laptop table (ISALA): http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30204185/

Oh sorry the ISALA is meant for laptops but not have a flip top, it is the VIKA VEINE that does. See it here if you scroll down there is an image of it open and another of it closed: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/rooms_ideas/small_spaces/small_living_room.html

Although I realize you could not fit your monitor in this desk, you could perhaps install a shelf above the desk.

There are a number of secretary and multi-purpose desks that have been reworked with laptops in mind. I would think something with a pull-out desktop would be ideal. Add in some shelves on the wall to serve as a hutch of sorts, and you can have a whole work area that doesn't need to look like a work area all the time. Just make sure the design will give you room to sit when it is being used as a desk!
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Wyatt_Hideaway_Desk/800/
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Oxford_Hidden_Desk/410/
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3736342

I also like the ikea besta burs desk, assuming your laptop is less than 15in deep (well, preferably less than that so you can put it in a drawer). And assuming high gloss whatever is your thing.

These are all great thoughts, but I had one I didn't see above (or maybe missed it). A slim bookcase, about 6' tall, with an added shelf that drops down to be used as a work space, then flips back up when not in use. Just a thought.

Or this Murphy desk with a little wall mounted shelf above it? http://www.homedecorators.com/detail.php?parentid=0100300&aid=prcgrb

Or how about the Murphy desk, at around $150. http://www.homedecorators.com/detail.php?parentid=0100300&aid=prcgrb

This is also very nice:

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?articleNumber=505092&an=0_505092&qa=0_BASIS_48W_DESK_WOOD|002

Not as nice, but still very functional looking:
http://www.target.com/p/Kendall-Computer-Desk-Antique-Walnut/-/A-11177282
http://www.target.com/p/Brandywine-Pullout-Laptop-Desk/-/A-12255320?reco=Rec_pdp_12255320_ClickCP_Adjacency

What a brilliant idea! I'd use a long entrance table, with a chair to the side. Pull the chair around, and the desk is good to go.

I use my dining room table as a desk because I don't want to be stuck in a small converted bedroom. I have a small chest near my chair, and I keep all my needed office stuff in there, and put my laptop in the top drawer when I'm finished. I use the top of the chest as a charging station, but I want the top cleared when I am using the table for dining.

I actually use the Ikea Bjursta dining table as my desk. I like the fact that you can pull out the leaves to make it deeper if you have a monitor and when folded up, it's very small and compact. It doesn't have a drawer, though you can put a few shelves up for your keys etc.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90116845/

I doubt they still sell it, but we've been using a Target secretary we mail-ordered and put together ourselves as our landing station. It was once considered for my laptop, but my husband cracked the fold-out shelf, and the drawer has no casters or anything and sticks. But for $165, it is a nice-looking piece and has quite a bit of storage.

Just a comment on the "use a console as a desk too" idea:
some times consoles are higher than the average table/desk, which means that, unless you use a height-adjustable chair, it may become uncomfortable to work on a console for an extended period of time.

It's not cheap, and it might be a little too deep, but I have been in love with this foldaway desk fron Crate and Barrel forever:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/desks/incognito-ebony-compact-office/s232737

My apartment is just a little too small to hold it - I had to decide between the desk or a wardrobe, and I have enough clothes that the wardrobe won out - but I love how much storage space it has inside and the fact that you can make it all disappear!