The first thing you should do when your friends and family refuse to use a Mac is… Relax. I know you’re excited about using and evangelizing the platform. I know that I am. However, it really isn’t any of your beeswax what computing platform your friends use — provided that they don’t ask you for tech support.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t share the experience with people who are interested. In fact, a stock MacBook or iMac is my recommendation to almost anybody who asks for a consultation on their purchase. I’ve even turned people around in their negative opinion of the Mac platform by providing objective facts, and keeping zealotry completely out of it. Sometimes our enthusiasm doesn’t translate well to people unfamiliar with this area of technology. Reducing confusion should be the number one goal. Unless you are getting paid by Apple (Which, by the way, I am not), it shouldn’t matter to you if you sell your friends on a Mac. Just enjoy your Mac, and answer any questions they might have. If you want to help them, just provide facts in a manner which they can use to discern the right purchase for them and their family.
Here is my point in a distilled manner: Don’t superimpose your feelings on them. You might have more information than they do. Heck, a Mac might be just what they need, but that is their decision. Keep your emotions out of it.
Photo Credit: lisa_at_home2002