Before 1 (2) Patch, there was often a freeze, but what you could finish on the Task Manager on Windows 8.1 back. However, this happened mostly when I switched the 1st server. After the patch at the beginning of 12/2013, it runs quite stable.
About Origin can be disputed splendidly, but if you want to have EA games, you can not get around it. Either you accept it or leaves it, similar to Steam. Since I buy my games commercially, at least I have nothing to hide in this regard. In private data that has changed. But I deal with my system configuration.
Basically, it makes sense to buy the game and simple upgrade with the premium as premium all extras are included, the etc. else on Special Editions be paid twice.