Comment 73 for bug 629258

Yes, it's right. This problem exists and many people (myself included) can confirm it.

But there are here a few descriptions of distinct problems.
I think that the problem that was reported here does NOT have anything to do with any physical incapacity to check the battery level.
The problem is that when one clicks in the gnome-power-manager icon the tool tip says simply "Laptop battery (estimating...)". But after clicking in "Laptop battery" a window appears with several information regarding the battery. There, it is possible to see the correct level of the battery.

So, I think that any problem where the gnome-power-manager is not able to check the battery level at all is not the same bug.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.