Planned consumer electronics spending is at near-record lows for a ChangeWave survey. Just 15 percent of respondents say they'll spend more on electronics over the next 90 days compared to 34 percent who say they’ll spend less. The survey company asked respondents doing back-to-school shopping which online stores they’ll be spending more money at this year compared to last year. Apple.com came in first, with eight percent of respondents saying they’ll spend "More Money" there than a year ago, while only four percent said they’ll spend "Less Money.

Looking ahead, overall computer buying among consumers remains weak, with just eight percent of respondents planning to buy a laptop in the next 90 days and five percent a desktop. However, ChangeWave says that Apple planned purchases for the next 90 days have hit a new all-time high for both laptops (34 percent; up two points from the last survey) and desktops (30 percent, up three points).

ChangeWave also asked whether Apple’s recent release of its 3G iPhone has made respondents more or less likely to buy a Mac in the future. A total of 17 percent say they’re now more likely to buy an Apple laptop or desktop in the future because of the 3G iPhone; only one percent said less likely. These highly positive findings point to the 3G iPhone having at least some “halo” effect on Mac sales going forward, says ChangeWave.

ChangeWave Research, a subsidiary of Phillips Investment Resources, identifies and quantifies changes in industries and companies through surveys of a network of business executives and professionals working in more than 20 industries.

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