Balance Sheet Details (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory
Raw material and purchased parts	$ 23,042us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterials	$ 18,921us-gaap_InventoryRawMaterials
Work-in-process	2,522us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcess	2,374us-gaap_InventoryWorkInProcess
Finished goods	23,127us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoods	24,521us-gaap_InventoryFinishedGoods
Consigned finished goods	184mxwl_CostOfInventoryShipped	2,490mxwl_CostOfInventoryShipped
Reserves	(4,019)us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves	(3,570)us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves
Total inventories, net	44,856us-gaap_InventoryNet	44,736us-gaap_InventoryNet
Property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, gross	103,702us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross	100,477us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(64,479)	(55,536)
Total property and equipment, net	39,223us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet	44,941us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
Accounts payable	12,544us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent	15,356us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent
Income tax payable	1,852us-gaap_AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent	2,366us-gaap_AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent
Accrued warranty	716	180
Other accrued liabilities	11,899us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	7,714us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	27,011	25,616
Machinery, furniture and office equipment [Member]
Property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, gross	72,323	63,528
Computer hardware and software [Member]
Property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, gross	12,003	10,672
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, gross	16,661	10,576
Construction in progress [Member]
Property and equipment, net:
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,715	$ 15,701

Cost of Inventory Shipped

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Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and due within one year (or the operating cycle, if longer), including liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received, taxes, interest, rent and utilities, accrued salaries and bonuses, payroll taxes and fringe benefits.

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