With near 300 hours now into FO:4 I have now got my final opinion on the energy weapons.
Just listen to these names:
- Boosted photon agitator
- Gamma wave emitter
- Overcharged capacitor
- Beta wave tuner
They all sound really fancy and interesting, but no change is made visually.
http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/fallout/images/4/40/Fallout_4_Laser_Rifle.png/revision/latest?cb=20150619112600
I await the time, most likely after the GECK is released, for the modifications for the capacitors to be different visually. When I saw the automatic barrel spinning I thought "wow that's different", and all the stocks and grips different again.
I feel that the capacitors are a missed opportunity.
The same could also be applied to the ballistic guns, but I'm not 100% sure if the receivers would look different. (I'm Australian so we don't grow up with guns like America)
tl:dr
I would like the capacitor modifications on energy weapons (also ballistic weapons if it makes sense) to look different.