You might be able to run the base game only on that laptop with graphics all on Low in Game Options,but possibly not for very long. Most of the EPs would be out of the question, I'm afraid.
As for patch updating, I meant the game itself. The Launcher (if you can get it started) will offer up patch updates and then mess up their installation. The link I provided was to the SuperPatcher that patches much more reliably. Here it is again, and again if it says you are already up to date, make it run anyway.
http://help.ea.com/en/article/the-sims-3-super-patcher
But the others are right, you are likely facing more of a lack of computer processor and graphics power there than a patch level mismatch, especially with EPs in the mix.
