An apparatus for recording and generating images includes a printing unit. The printing unit includes a carrier that is dimensioned to approximate a PCMCIA memory card. A media supply is receivable in the carrier. A page width print head assembly is mounted in the carrier to print images on the media. The page width print head assembly includes at least one print head chip and a suitable printing microprocessor that is configured to control operation of the print head chip. An ink supply mechanism is operatively arranged with respect to the print head assembly to supply the print head assembly with ink. A media feed mechanism is positioned in the carrier to feed media to and from the print head chip. The apparatus includes an image recordal apparatus that includes a housing in which the carrier is received. The housing is dimensioned to define a sleeve for the carrier so that at least half the carrier is received in the housing. An image sensing device is positioned on the housing to sense an image to be generated. An image sensing microprocessor is positioned in the housing and is operatively arranged with respect to the image sensing device to control operation of the image sensing device. Both the printing unit and the image recordal apparatus have complementary releasable data connectors so that the image sensing microprocessor can communicate image data to the printing microprocessor of the printing unit.