RE: simulator for pattern practice
Phoenix also has the Integral. I just got Phoenix, it works well for practice, physics are good, and it's really great to go online and see and practice with your friends.
With the online connection, you can talk and message your friends, call for them, comment, etc.
Not sure about if or where to download other planes except from Phoenix, but there are 2 pattern planes and the ability to modify them in many, many ways.
I had real flight, did not like the planes and did not like that I had to purchase upgrades.
I am running the sim on an outdated, older laptop. I had to upgrade my graphics card driver for it to work, but it does not need a super powerful computer to run.