A portable computer is provided that has a housing. A battery may be contained within the housing. The housing may have panels such as a fixed housing panel and a removable access panel. A lever actuated latching mechanism may be used to lock the removable access panel and the battery within the portable computer. A lock may be used to block movement of the lever and thereby prevent access to the interior of the computer. Magnetic elements may be used to facilitate operation of the lever and to hold the access panel in place. The latch mechanism may provide mechanical advantage when disengaging the magnets that hold the access panel.