I just called tech support for clarification.
An old account upgrading to a Core DOES NOT have to pay for Connect and may fully update to the latest OS!!
Connect ONLY triggers at creation of a new account, and does so for ALL new accounts regardless of processor or OS!
Home sold systems need to either have the previous owner do a change of email to the new owners, or new owners will HAVE to pay Connect for a new account, even for an HC running 2.10.6.
In theory there is a resale value to dead accounts.