Yesterday, I started my "pure mage" playthrough. I created a Nord female for the purpose (the presets looked better than the Breton presets), and I was off.

Initially, I barely had any spells and terrible equipment, so I was forced to carry a ton of potions and resort to hit and run attacks to take down enemies. I focused on enchanting, destruction, and conjuration. Switching between spells was also a pain, since the hotkey system recognized only eight shortcuts at once.

Having finished the College of Winterhold questline, I am finding it much easier to play as a pure mage, out of the robes and the mask you get in the end. My magicka regenerates so quickly that I can continually cast firebolts and flame atronachs without delay.

To conclude, if you are playing as a mage, you are only as good as the spells you know and the equipment you use. This is a big adjustment from playing as a lightly-armored warrior/archer in my previous playthrough.

This post isn't really saying anything new. We know this, and we also know it gets much worse at higher levels.

Regen barely does anything for me, did they change it this new patch?

It's more challenging to play though. But, I think I'll go back to swords and archery for my other playthroughs. It's much easier that way. Pure mages need a ton of micromanagement.

if mana is a promble for you remeber you have got enchantment there and it can be used to create gear that cuts mana cost down to 0 it always a good thing to do soons as you can for destruction magic that way youll have alot more free mana for more costly ateration/conjuration spells.