Depends what make the laptop is Doug, and how old. If its got the round type of power plug with a hole up the middle, shouldn't be too bad. If its one of them Dell thingys with a square plug an 3 pin holes, could be a bit more. Possibly even just the soldering has let go on the board with plug being put in and pulled out, so just a resolder job. Having said that they are a bugger to pull down and get at anything. Yep and puter techs are a species apart, its all arcane knowledge, not to be divulged to the uninitiated
The batteries don't last long, mine gives me about 20-30 mins depending whether the cam is connected or not, but I can't complain as the laptop was a s/h Ebay cheapy to begin with. New battery is about $80 ex Hong Kong. Might get one, but planning to run it of a couple of 12v Gel Cells for field work anyway.
Best of luck with the repairs, hope it works out reasonable.
Bill