Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011	Jan. 03, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 986,990	$ 1,300,142	$ 415,310
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred and other taxes	(74,829)	(172,327)	(12,884)
Depreciation	114,984	132,818	152,606
Amortization	161,930	93,961	78,090
Provision for doubtful accounts	(1,476)	(2,575)	(719)
Share-based compensation expense	63,110	77,590	95,560
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	(24,895)	(29,626)	0
Impairments, restructuring and other	(49,438)	(41,505)	4,293
Other non-operating	86,660	41,054	(2,757)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable from product revenues	(146,726)	(132,479)	(111,597)
Inventory	(158,534)	84,314	(13,485)
Other assets	(112,577)	(127,629)	324,981
Accounts payable trade	73,711	38,957	(106,634)
Accounts payable to related parties	34,531	59,653	(187,915)
Other liabilities	100,331	129,544	(146,995)
Total adjustments	66,782	151,750	72,544
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,053,772	1,451,892	487,854
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of short and long-term marketable securities	(3,473,915)	(5,803,438)	(1,668,978)
Proceeds from sales of short and long-term marketable securities	2,849,232	2,771,840	1,137,734
Proceeds from maturities of short and long-term marketable securities	634,390	407,001	205,874
Acquisition of property and equipment	(192,876)	(108,142)	(59,733)
Investment in Flash Ventures	(83,316)	0	0
Distribution from FlashVision Ltd.	0	122	12,713
Notes receivable proceeds from Flash Ventures	416,388	59,664	387,278
Notes receivable issuances to Flash Ventures	(399,281)	(59,880)	(377,923)
Purchased technology and other assets	(100,000)	473	(11,790)
Proceeds from sale of assets	0	17,767	0
Acquisition of Pliant Technology, Inc., net of cash acquired	(317,649)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(667,027)	(2,714,593)	(374,825)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs	0	982,500	0
Proceeds from sale (purchase) of convertible bond hedge	1,494	(292,900)	0
Proceeds from sale (purchase) of warrants	(1,158)	188,100	0
Repayment of debt financing	(211,441)	(75,000)	0
Proceeds from employee stock programs	143,140	152,843	20,878
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	24,895	29,626	0
Share repurchase program	(4,039)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(47,109)	985,169	20,878
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash	(1,289)	6,317	4,396
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	338,347	(271,215)	138,303
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year	829,149	1,100,364	962,061
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	1,167,496	829,149	1,100,364
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash refunded (paid) for income taxes	(374,460)	(338,328)	123,977
Cash paid for interest expense	$ (26,479)	$ (12,323)	$ (13,001)