I'm starting my first elf. He's going to be some sort of Mage. Not sure what yet.

I just made the same character. Pure Mage, first time for me. It's a totally different type of gameplay. Save that Highborn power for when you really need it. Cook Elsewyre fondues like there is no tomorrow (moon sugar is expensive!!!). If you aren't going to wear armor, you really have to plan your fights. Completely different from my bash everyone in the face Nord.

Skyrim has limited choices compared to past games, but there are still different types of mages you can go for. You can go for a more passive mage and use Conjuration and Illusion. In fact, I think I'll recommend that. Go towards the left side of the Conjuration tree and select perks for atronachs/thralls. Having 2 atronachs or dead thralls are really great. Illusion just takes care of the rest. Nothing beats frenzying a bunch of people to thin the herd. Or on the flip side, if you are getting mauled, there are calm spells to get a break or if you just want them gone, make them flee. Become a vampire as well and focus on restoration too. Since you will have a good restoration skill, you can also use wards for enemy mages and there are good undead spells. The main importance of Restoration is the Necromage perk which amplifies spells against undead. Since you are flagged as undead for being a vampire, the spells you use on yourself are more effective.

My current mage is 46 with all magic skills maxxed, but Conjuration and Illusion are still my number one use of magicka. If you can, try to use enchanting in place of those useless "half magicka" perks. Oh, and alteration. I hate getting one shotted, and that tends to happen when you wear robes.

If at any point you get frustrated because mages grind too slow or you are too weak to realize your potential, don't be afraid to exploit the Oghma Infinium. I had to do it, plus I threw in an RP spin to it so all is fine!

Thanks for the tips. I think I will be using illusion and conjuration. I'll use followers too

For a follower I'd probably recommend a warrior. They can get all up close and personal while you are back casting spells. Just make sure you don't blow him up! Followers can get some pretty sweet bonuses from Illusion. There is a spell that makes anyone hit by it not flee and gives a stamina and health bonus. Great for making final stands with.

I was a actually going to get a Mage follower who uses conjuration so we would have like a small army

That too is a great idea. The more the merrier!

yep I recommend everything in this post also also I recommend using enchanting for lower magicka cost's so you don't have to use the perks for magicka reduction I've made 3 builds like this so I'll add some more stuff

think about about a primary atack skill i use dual weild blades and my thralls tend to be mage thralls I tank for them

I thInk I'll dual wield daggers up close along with conjuration and illusion. I'll probably do the college of winterhold and dark brotherhood quest lines. I Havent decided about the main quest yet...

The dunmer girl at the college. She uses conjuration to summon something to attack the enemy then switches to archery or staffs herself. On top of that when you have 2 summons you can use dead thrall to raise a dead enemy mage. I think you can see where I am going with that . 3 mage followers(2 undead), each who summon an atronach or raise the dead. There is your small army .

If you are not using armor use the alteration flesh spells and take the perk that doubles and triples the armor of the spell.... and if you combine that with vampire even better.

I have heard daggers are not effected by one-handed are you going to sneak? a illusion/conjuration Mage could be good for sneaking use fury for enemies to aggro and use calm and a conjuration to finish them of or throw your conjuration into the fray

Yes I planned to be a sneaky mage