Summary of Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 02, 2013	Jan. 28, 2012
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Estimated Fair Value	$ 1,183,806	$ 1,484,811
Short-term Investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,164,295	1,457,894
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,194	4,521
Gross Unrealized Losses	(452)	(819)
Estimated Fair Value	1,167,037	1,461,596
Short-term Investments | Available-for-sale | Corporate debt securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	577,120	685,563
Gross Unrealized Gains	2,886	3,081
Gross Unrealized Losses	(382)	(799)
Estimated Fair Value	579,624	687,845
Short-term Investments | Available-for-sale | Asset-backed Securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	76,629
Gross Unrealized Gains	50
Gross Unrealized Losses	(64)
Estimated Fair Value	76,615
Short-term Investments | Available-for-sale | Foreign Government
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	4,320	2,033
Gross Unrealized Gains		3
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)
Estimated Fair Value	4,319	2,036
Short-term Investments | Available-for-sale | U.S. federal and state debt securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	318,226	770,298
Gross Unrealized Gains	258	1,437
Gross Unrealized Losses	(5)	(20)
Estimated Fair Value	318,479	771,715
Short-term Investments | Available-for-sale | Time Deposits
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	188,000
Estimated Fair Value	188,000
Long-term investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	19,450	24,500
Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,681)	(1,285)
Estimated Fair Value	16,769	23,215
Long-term investments | Auction rate securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,700)
Long-term investments | Available-for-sale | Auction rate securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	19,450	24,500
Gross Unrealized Losses	(2,681)	(1,285)
Estimated Fair Value	16,769	23,215
Investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	1,183,745	1,482,394
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,194	4,521
Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,133)	(2,104)
Estimated Fair Value	$ 1,183,806	$ 1,484,811