Dell Computers Possible Bait and Switch Internet

I was in the market of purchasing a laptop, and since my work suggests Dell, I purchased a Dell Inspiron 1150 laptop. I had done a Web search of the 1150, but my search stopped at PC Magazine's review where they said the 1150 had an 8-hour battery life.

According to their review, The Dell Inspiron 1150 has decent performance and respectable components, but it's the outstanding battery life that makes this notebook worth a second glance. The system can easily handle basic applications such as word processing, CD burning, and Web browsingand can do it all untethered for hours.

I have come to find this not true for the battery lasts only 3 hours, if that. In response to my email, a rep by the name of Shekhar (DTC445456) wrote:

I can understand your concern and I would like to tell you that Battery performance varies depending on operating conditions. A single fully charged 8-cell battery may operate approximately two hours with average usage. A single fully charged 4-cell battery may operate approximately an hour. You can install an optional second battery in the module bay to increase operating time.

So, is this what Dell did? For their review they put a battery which lasted 8 hours, but for their customers they pull the old switch-a-roo?

John
El Cajon, California
U.S.A.