The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

real user
 n.

    1. A commercial user. One who is paying real money for his computer usage.

    2. A non-hacker. Someone using the system for an explicit purpose (a
    research project, a course, etc.) other than pure exploration. See user.
    Hackers who are also students may also be real users. ?I need this fixed so
    I can do a problem set. I'm not complaining out of randomness, but as a
    real user.? See also luser.


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

real user

   1. A commercial user.  One who is paying *real* money for his
   computer usage.

   2. A non-hacker.  Someone using the system for an explicit
   purpose (a research project, a course, etc.)  other than pure
   exploration.  See user.  Hackers who are also students may
   also be real users.  "I need this fixed so I can do a problem
   set.  I'm not complaining out of randomness, but as a real
   user."  See also luser.

   [Jargon File]