An image forming apparatus which allows an independent and easy
replacement of replaceable image forming devices including an image
forming unit detachably provided in the image forming apparatus. The
image forming unit includes a housing, a plurality of replaceable
devices, and a nonvolatile memory. The plurality of replaceable devices
are replaceably mounted inside the housing. The nonvolatile memory is
mounted on the housing and stores lifetime information of the image
forming unit and each one of the plurality of replaceable devices.