Actually, it is the power management.
Most likely it can be configured. But that is one of the points (admin time): you have to configure it. On Macs, it works.
Not really. Most of it is lack of proper power management in the drivers, especially graphic drivers. Work is ongoing, things will improve. In a few years.
I have only about 2--2.5 hours of battery life in my T61 under Ubuntu (standard 6-cell battery, 3 years old). Luckily that's sufficient for my needs.
