Apparatus and methods for placement of battery packs in portable information handling systems such as notebook and netbook computers. A first set of pivot features may be provided on opposing sidewalls of a battery well that interface with a corresponding set of mating pivot features provided on exterior end surfaces of a battery pack such that the battery pack may be pivoted into and out from the battery well to install or release it from the system, e.g., pivoted from the bottom of the portable information handling system in a manner that does not interfere with, or require modification to, the lid and display of the portable information handling system. A latch mechanism and battery release feature may be further provided that acts to transfer horizontal manipulation (e.g., horizontal sliding motion) of the battery release feature to a vertical latching action that acts to lift the battery pack out from the portable information handling system chassis when releasing the battery pack from the chassis.