Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2012
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	$ 22,004
Toshiba research and development	68,357
Operating expense commitments	53,403
Total contractual cash obligations	6,257,209
1% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	941,982
1.5% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	1,090,000
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	41,729
Noncancelable production purchase commitments
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	379,079
1 Year or Less [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	10,469
Toshiba research and development	38,357
Operating expense commitments	51,403
Total contractual cash obligations	1,957,041
1 Year or Less [Member] | 1% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	9,281
1 Year or Less [Member] | 1.5% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	15,000
1 Year or Less [Member] | Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	39,900
1 Year or Less [Member] | Noncancelable production purchase commitments
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	379,079
2 - 3 Years (Fiscal 2013 and 2014) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	8,749
Toshiba research and development	15,000
Operating expense commitments	2,000
Total contractual cash obligations	2,363,047
2 - 3 Years (Fiscal 2013 and 2014) [Member] | 1% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	932,701
2 - 3 Years (Fiscal 2013 and 2014) [Member] | 1.5% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	30,000
2 - 3 Years (Fiscal 2013 and 2014) [Member] | Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	1,019
2 - 3 Years (Fiscal 2013 and 2014) [Member] | Noncancelable production purchase commitments
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	0
4 - 5 Years (Fiscal 2015 and 2016) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	2,786
Toshiba research and development	15,000
Operating expense commitments	0
Total contractual cash obligations	749,089
4 - 5 Years (Fiscal 2015 and 2016) [Member] | 1% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	0
4 - 5 Years (Fiscal 2015 and 2016) [Member] | 1.5% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	30,000
4 - 5 Years (Fiscal 2015 and 2016) [Member] | Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	810
4 - 5 Years (Fiscal 2015 and 2016) [Member] | Noncancelable production purchase commitments
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	0
More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2016) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	0
Toshiba research and development	0
Operating expense commitments	0
Total contractual cash obligations	1,188,032
More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2016) [Member] | 1% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	0
More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2016) [Member] | 1.5% Convertible senior notes principal and interest [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible notes principal and interest	1,015,000
More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2016) [Member] | Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	0
More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2016) [Member] | Noncancelable production purchase commitments
Contractual Obligations
Noncancelable purchase obligation	0
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	1,884,483
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] | 1 Year or Less [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	609,023
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] | 2 - 3 Years (Fiscal 2013 and 2014) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	805,478
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] | 4 - 5 Years (Fiscal 2015 and 2016) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	397,405
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2016) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	72,577
Flash Partners Ltd [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	773,900
Flash Partners Ltd [Member] | 1 Year or Less [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	307,174
Flash Partners Ltd [Member] | 2 - 3 Years (Fiscal 2013 and 2014) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	296,734
Flash Partners Ltd [Member] | 4 - 5 Years (Fiscal 2015 and 2016) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	95,456
Flash Partners Ltd [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2016) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	74,536
Flash Forward Ltd [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	1,002,272
Flash Forward Ltd [Member] | 1 Year or Less [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	497,355
Flash Forward Ltd [Member] | 2 - 3 Years (Fiscal 2013 and 2014) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	271,366
Flash Forward Ltd [Member] | 4 - 5 Years (Fiscal 2015 and 2016) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	207,632
Flash Forward Ltd [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2016) [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	$ 25,919