im going to try play a mage for the first time, but im a bit wondering about what is the best option. breton and high elf both seem very good choices for a first time mage(most bonusses to magic, magic racial pwoers ect.) but im not sure who to choose. high elf has a hefty 50 magica bonus, allawing for higher stats overall and a much needed initial magica boost until i can get some perks and level ups, and has a ability which regerates magica very quickly. bretons on the other hand have a natural resitance against magic(and i read that having good magic=meet good magic) and dragonskin(or whatever its called) allows me to absorb magica. and then you also ahve nords and dark elfs with a 50% resitance to ice and fire and COULD make quite nice mages once i trained magic a bit.

as google isnt really giving me a straight answer, im going to ask here: what is, middle-high leveled, the best race to choose for a pure mage?

I've been an Altmer mage through four characters (4th still going), now I'm trying a Breton on an experimental playthrough.

I have to say, I don't like being SHORT!
Kudos to the game mechanics, that actually convey the height difference even though the characters aren't in the same game. It is palpable!

I did feel that my Altmers were stronger in battle early on (when the playing field was more level).... using magic or weapons.

Other than those two, I haven't tried other races.

Maybe Altmer.

But to begin with (even though you asked for mid-late) a Breton makes for a good conjurer,.

I always play Breton as a mage although I have a High Elf build for some time in the future to try out. I just love the Breton Magic Resistance being in effect all the time. The being short thing...well, I love the idea that someone who isn't tall can accomplish so much. Take that, tall people. I conjure all the time and that boost in skill at the beginning really helps.

My current Mage is a Dunmer *shrug* any of the races work. It's just the Altmer's extra Magicka is very handy, as is the Breton Magic Resistance. My next character is a Breton Healer, and the one after that an Altmer Necromancer.

I think, end-gamewise though the Breton's Resistance is better than the extra Magicka, so I'd say Breton.