Chris...I was seriously addicted to the first SIMS and I literally had to fight my urge to sit up all night playing it! I found a cheat for it which made it so you didn't have to go to work and had a BAZILLION dollars. It sounded good for awhile, but eventually I got bored. I think if I were to get SIMS 3 I would definitely need a laptop though.
I think the funniest thing I got a charge out of doing to them was putting them in the pool and taking away the diving board! Yes, I was the kid with the magnifying glass at the ant mound. I also thought it was hilarious when they died from bad hygiene and the others would come and pay their respects. I had forgotten how much fun I did have with them....I see another compulsion around the bend.