Correct. In "modern" laptops with Li or Li-Poly batteries, it's really more about the embedded intelligence, or lack there of, of the power regulator relative

Correct. In "modern" laptops with Li or Li-Poly batteries, it's really more about the embedded intelligence, or lack there of, of the power regulator relative to the reactance headroom of the power source (relative to system demands) than the battery itself. Some systems, notably netbooks, have virtually zero variance in their reactive power loads so the manufacturer can skimp a little on the regulator--not so for full-featured notebooks with multiple drive and fan servos powered by induction motors. A MackbookPro running only an SSD and idling fans has the same effective reactance profile of a netbook. A suitable analogy can be made with automobile transmissions. Two identical models can have vastly different mpg performance and component wear with different transmissions under different loads though they weigh nearly the same, run on the same fuel, and have the same horsepower/torque curve.