Investments , Investments Portfolio and AFS Continuous Unrealized Loss Position (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2013		Apr. 27, 2012		Apr. 29, 2011
Cost method, equity method, and other investments:
Cost and Equity Method Investment without Quoted Market Price	$ 549		$ 508
Short-term and long-term investments, cost	10,896		8,918
Short-term and long-term investments, unrealized gains	185		257
Short-term and long-term investments, unrealized losses	(27)		(50)
Short-term and long-term investments, fair value	10,505		8,617
AFS Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	1,044		961
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses	(5)		(11)
More than 12 months, fair value	160		209
More than 12 months, unrealized losses	(22)		(38)
AFS OTTI Losses
Total OTTI losses recognized			6		18
OTTI losses recognized in OCI			4		13
OTTI losses recognized in earnings			2		5
Salient and PEAK
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain on previously held investments			38
Ardian
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain on previously held investments					85
Corporate Debt Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities, cost	4,587		3,501
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains	78		47
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized losses	(4)		(7)
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	4,661		3,541
AFS Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	544		664
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses	(1)		(4)
More than 12 months, fair value	13		16
More than 12 months, unrealized losses	(3)		(3)
Auction Rate Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities, cost	118		153
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains	0		0
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized losses	(15)		(26)
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	103		127
AFS Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	0		0
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses	0		0
More than 12 months, fair value	103		127
More than 12 months, unrealized losses	(15)		(26)
Mortgage Backed Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities, cost	1,050		840
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains	8		9
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized losses	(5)		(10)
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,053		839
AFS Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	195		218
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses	(1)		(2)
More than 12 months, fair value	44		57
More than 12 months, unrealized losses	(4)		(8)
US Government and Agency Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities, cost	3,882		3,122
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains	17		38
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized losses	(1)		0
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	3,898		3,160
AFS Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	291
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses	(1)
More than 12 months, fair value	0
More than 12 months, unrealized losses	0
Foreign Government and Agency Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities, cost	38		67
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains	0		0
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized losses	0		0
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	38		67
Certificates of Deposit
Available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities, cost	6		47
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains	0		0
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized losses	0		0
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	6		47
Other Asset-backed Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities, cost	539		535
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains	2		3
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized losses	0		(1)
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	541		537
AFS Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value			55
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses			0
More than 12 months, fair value			9
More than 12 months, unrealized losses			(1)
Marketable Equity Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Available-for-sale securities, cost	82		100
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gains	75		158
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized losses	(2)		(5)
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	155		253
AFS Continuous Unrealized Loss Position
Less than 12 months, fair value	14		24
Less than 12 months, unrealized losses	(2)		(5)
More than 12 months, fair value	0		0
More than 12 months, unrealized losses	0		0
Exchange Traded Funds
Trading securities:
Trading securities, cost	45		45
Trading securities, unrealized gains	5		2
Trading securities, unrealized losses	0		(1)
Trading securities, fair value	50		46
Debt Securities
AFS Gross Realized Gain (Loss)
Proceeds from sales	10,350	[1]	7,675	[1]	9,318	[1]
Gross realized gains	59	[1]	52	[1]	28	[1]
Gross realized losses	(17)	[1]	(16)	[1]	(15)	[1]
Impairment losses recognized	0	[1]	(2)	[1]	(5)	[1]
Equity Securities
AFS Gross Realized Gain (Loss)
Proceeds from sales	161	[2]	113	[2],[3]	31	[2],[4]
Gross realized gains	94	[2]	93	[2],[3]	85	[2],[4]
Gross realized losses	0	[2]	0	[2],[3]	0	[2],[4]
Impairment losses recognized	$ (21)	[2]	$ (10)	[2],[3]	$ (24)	[2],[4]

[1] Includes available-for-sale debt securities.

[2] Includes marketable equity securities, cost method, equity method, exchange-traded funds, and other investments.

[3] As a result of the Salient and PEAK acquisitions that occurred during fiscal year 2012, the Company recognized a non-cash gain of $38 million on its previously-held minority investments.

[4] As a result of the Ardian acquisition that occurred during fiscal year 2011, the Company recognized a non-cash gain of $85 million on its previously-held minority investment.