Definitely battery life will improve. But I have no problems with the ivy bridge system as is. Could I stand to have it better? Yes, definitely. But usually unplugged, I am working on something simple like note taking, web browsing, or reading. Perhaps artwork and painting.
And I get in and get done and put it away. Not like I constantly have the need to keep it on. And if it needs a charge, outlets are always nearby, a vehicle power inverter is there, and I can opt for an external aftermarket charger or be intrepid and take those and add a connector.
Definitely with all the functionality and manipulativeness that I can overlook a slightly not perfect battery life.
And by the time Broadwell comes out, things are really rolling.