After the patch I want to start a new character, basically a Battlemage type. I would like to use 2H, heavy armor, destruction, smithing, enchanting, alteration and restoration. Skillwise, I think an Imperial would fit the bill, or Nord. BUT if I used a Breton, I would get the magic skills bumps, plus the magic resistance. If I choose an Altmer, I would have more magicka to begin with, allowing me to put points into stamina for my weapon.

Does anyone have any suggestions that might help me decide? I don't really care for the beast races, BTW.

Thanks in advance!

I say go for Breton. Skills can be developed quickly, so the starting skills are usually not that big of a problem, nor do they decide your what character's going to be. For example, my Bosmer never uses Archery, but 1H + Illusion.
Bretons also have some nice racial bonuses, nothing special but useful especially on lower levels.

Imperials/Nords are adept with the "battle" part of battlemage, but are lacking overall with the "mage" part. It can work, but it would take longer to get them to being a good battlemage.

Altmer are good mages, but their weakness makes them not great for melee combat. An altmer battlemage would need enchantments/spell to overcome their weaknesses. Again, it can work, but you have to be careful with them, especially on higher difficulties.

Bretons are the most well rounded for battlemage builds at the start. I'd go with a Breton for a good, balanced battlemage. If you'd rather have a bigger challenge overall, go with a Nord battlemage.

Do wood elf.

Confuse everyone.

Breton. Then again, Breton is always the correct answer for best race.

Wow, pretty unanimous except for the one rebel in the crowd! LOL

Thanks for your help. You all make valid points!

Yeah if you want a typical battlemage, Imperial/Breton are your best bets. Argonian and Dunmer slightly less so. Nords and Redguards aren't fond of magic, Altmer aren't fond of combat, Bosmer are more illusionists and ranged fighters, Khajiit(The breed found in skyrim at least) prefer to remain stealthy and don't tend to like full on combat. Orcs are not big magic users either.

depends on how you're going to play.

the breton advantage can be made worthless with enchantments.

as well, magicka costs can be reduced to 0.

it's cosmetic.

Nothing says battlemage like a Breton. They are the stereotypical battlemages. Personally, I think an Orc shaman/battlemage might be interesting to play.

Although I'm a great fan of Bretons, at least from a role playing perspective, I think that Imperials are probably the sterotypical battlemages, especially the cleric type characters.

If you want that go for Khajiit. Now there's an unexpected career choice

...Actually Skyrim does have a khajiit mage NPC. So that ones already taken

Dark Elf or a Breton would seem the best choice for me.

Imperial, Breton . . . to Khajiit you smoothskins look all the same.

Plenty of Breton battlemages in Cyrodiil though, like Arielle Jurard.

Yesterday I was jogging down the road, minding my own business, when a Khajiit wearing steel plate tried to roast me alive! Bad Kitty!

Do a Dark Elf or Red Guard. They get the best starting bonuses to destruction and other combat skills. I did just make an Altmer Battlemage who uses light armor and one handed alongside destruction and I love him. In the end it just depends on who and how you build them.

I go Altmer for battle mage, mainly because they do more melee damage than the other races and they have more magicka. The Breton are the weakess for weapon damage, but are better on the magicka skills. Imperials are middle of the field and neither better or worse than the other two you suggested. I guess it just depends on what you prefer...