lol, got a bad case of the alt-itis. I scrapped my high elf character because I couldn't really get into him, I hate the high elves.
Started a new Breton conjurer last night. I'm only level 10 right now after a few hours of play but everything is coming together nicely and working very well. I wear heavy armor, including a shield. I start every fight by summoning a flame atronach, then use the stoneflesh alteration spell for the extra 60 armor, then conjure a bound sword. I have enough magic I can do one right after the other without delay so it doesn't take as long as it sounds.
I'm not up to 50 yet in conjuration or alteration, so I've only been using those apprentice level spells for now, but I haven't had much difficulty and it works out anyway because I wouldn't have enough magic yet to cast 3 adept level spells in a row without any delay. I'll continue to pump magic heavily though so I can use more powerful conjuration and alteration spells in conjunction with one another as my character levels up.
I don't use smithing or enchanting, so the extra 60 armor on top of the heavy armor I have access to at early levels (steel right now) makes a huge difference and with mystic binding, the conjured sword is as powerful as a daedric sword, which is a lot more powerful than the best weapons available right now (orcish).
All in all, conjuration and alteration so far is, and seems like it will continue to be, a very fun combination and worth trying if anyone wants to try something different. Though if you're someone who rushes to get the best armor and weapons straight away via smithing, the conjured weapons and the alteration armor spells wouldn't have the same appeal since the conjured weapons would be weaker than the ones you can make and the alteration armor spells would be worthless if you were already at the armor cap. Try it without using smithing for the best results.
Bretons are a good choice for the build because the alteration tree has valuable magic resistance perks that will stack with the Breton's starting 25% magic resistance and they also have the highest starting bonus to conjuration.