I don't really think 6.5 hours is "horrible" battery life...
If I was using the computer for even simple stuff (like browsing) then yes, i would agree with you, but since it was not being used at all, not even the screensaver on.... i think it qualifies for "horrible" when the company thats selling it is advertising it as 7hrs, thats misleading advertising as the 7hrs point was one of the reasons i bought this.
To the second poster... i gotto check out this "Coconut battery", never heard of it. Had i got the same amount of battery after the stuff you did - i too would have been very satisfied.
Cheers!