I'm looking for the best companion who uses both magic and melee,Do mage followers in Skyrim use weapons you give them? Or will they just spam spell?Is there a good battle mage in the game? Also can I teach companions spells at all? I'm on the 360.

There's and old guy you can hire at the inn in Solitude. He casts conjuration/alteration/destruction magic and uses a sword and heavy armour. His name is Belrand.

Ilia. she's just southwest of Riven. directly sound of honeyside farm i think it's called. you have to help her do a quest but she's awesome. her favorite thing to do is dual-wield staves but followers will use a variety of equipment if it's given to them. you can't teach them spells.

Illia is an absolute moster. She fires off these ice spears and heals herself. In my experience she's one of the, if not the best follower. She deals some real damage

Marcurio.
Found in the Bee and the Barb in Riften. Specializes in shock. I gave him the Mace of Molag Bal, and all was well.

No, Illia

No, Belrand! He may seem daft and look like the belongs in a museum but he can summon up atronachs and has a heart of gold.

Oh and as for Marcurio I hired him once and he did no damage and died in about 5 seconds. I let him stay that way.

Anska is a crazy lady with her fire balls but I think she is only available during one quest. All I could hear was BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!.. I had to turn the sound down on the TV and just left her to it.