model 1229 - can it be upgraded or refurbished?

This is model identifier MacBookPro 3,1.

Depending on what you mean with "upgraded or refurbished".

- Memory: can be upgraded to 6GB maximum, it is easy to do but probably not so easy to find a supplier, try OWC.

- Disk: Easy to replace the disk with a larger one: 2.5", connector is 1.5MB Sata, most new disks are 6GB Sata, you have to find one that is compatible 2 steps down, all sizes easy to find 1TB for example.

- OSX: ElCapitan: you have to have enough memory thus 6GB would be necessary.

It is necessary to check all applications to be compatible with ElCapitan. This will be probably a problem, software updates may not be available.

I wouldn't invest too much with it.

I had one and I loved it, but it went through 2 logic boards in a little over 6 years. The 1st one was covered by an unannounced warranty, just after 3 years. The 2nd one died, on cue, a little after 3 years later. It's scrap now.

Is there a reason why you ask this?

Are you having problems? is the disk full? is it slow?

Note: make backups !!!