True - and to a certain extent, I'm looking at non-glitch options here.  I should probably mention that somewhere, but then again I don't mind people suggesting such things.  It's just that I pretty much never use them myself.  

As for the Ring of the Erudite, you could argue that it's not super necessary given the Altmer's Highborn ability.  In my experience, super-fast Magicka regen isn't *always* needed - and I'd prefer to play a "chessmaster" mage as one who needs to plan a bit ahead, rather than FPS with spells. :D

Also, if you take the Atronach stone and build toward absorption, there's a certain "regen" built in there.  

Yeah, I just forgot Necromage vampirism. :) I've never actually used it myself.  I just added a small paragraph mentioning its awesomeness.  

I think I'll do a separate discussion that touches on quest-related things.  Dawnguard - both sides - should play a big role there, given the new spells, though the DG faction itself probably doesn't offer a ton of utility, apart from access to those Restoration spells.  

I agree!  

My Vargr build deliberately used a low-AR melee warrior who *had* to use Beast Form in tougher fights, but even that was a RP rather than power-play decision, for obvious reasons. 

One thing you might have overlooked, Paul. The additional 25% boost to illusion, coupled with necromage vampirism and dual casting, would allow a vampire mage to affect very high level targets with even novice illusions.

For efficiency the DG spells don't offer much. They only kill undead a pure mage could just take fire spells which kill everything. 

I wouldn't' bother with neither since the Black Book powers, Mora's Boon, Seeker of Sorcery and Secret of Arcana serve just fine.

Not many people know about it, but with the item stacking glitch for werewolves, it is possible to equip staves when using Beast Form. This turns all claw attacks to the base damage of the staff (usually 0), but instead casts the staff with every swipe (no need to go through the spell charging animation, the Triple power attack casts at every swipe). It's a nifty and unusual trick which makes lycanthropy seem more seamless for mages. 

Wouldn't that require having a follower or dremora butler to talk to in combat?

It is also easier to gather a few bottles of ale, some eider cheese wheels and moon sugar and make Elsweyr Fondue than become a vampire just to get a magic ring nor do I imagine a pure mage joining the Companions, a noted warrior group just to be a werewolf.