The last time I played D&D (long ago) spellcasters were very much the way Macharius described them.

Now, not so much.

Saving throws are much improved, dramatically reducing the effects of lower level spells due to the way the spell level is worked into the save. Many spells that didn't have a saving throw (sleep for instance) now do.

At 6th level, my lightning bolt spell generates an average damage output of 21 points before saves. With a reflex save I do all of 10.5 points with a spell that I can only do a couple times a day. Also the spells cap out at 10 dice now, giving an average of 35 points of damage before saves, or about 18 points after.

Now, it's true that you can hit more folks with AoE spells, but the fighters in my party can far and away trump the damage of even my most powerful spells - and their sword swings aren't limited to three or four per day. The Archer/druid can put out far more per round with his bow than I can with spells.

Basically, the other players in the group individually can far and away out-do the damage capablity of my mage as long as we're fighting small numbers of creatures. If we've facing large numbers I'll get some good rounds in, but against dragons, gorgons etc. - they far and away out-do the kind of damage I can do as a spellcaster in 3.5.

Perhaps there are better 'ways' of making mages in this version of the game. I find all the feats and metamagic stuff WAAAAYYY too finicky. Having played mages of old I can assure you, the are far wimpier now than they used to be spellwise, but somewhat more versatile and a bit more survivable. But only a bit.