An image forming apparatus is featured with excellent operability of storage at the time of non-use, as well as excellent operability of charging the battery, in addition to such advantages as thin and battery-driven, and preferably suitable for portable use. A cradle provided for this image forming apparatus functions as a placement stand when an ink jet printer, which is provided with a battery charger mounted thereon, is inserted in the direction designated appropriately at the time of non-use. When the ink jet printer having the battery charger thus mounted thereon is contained in the cradle, the contact point portion of the battery charger and the contact terminal portion of the cradle are electrically connected. Therefore, the battery incorporated in the battery charger is charged when the AC adopter cable is inserted into the CDL-DCin jack of the cradle.