Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011	Apr. 03, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 530,079	$ 641,875	$ 357,484
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	55,658	50,361	50,180
Amortization	16,690	8,531	14,982
Stock-based compensation	67,418	60,258	56,481
Impairment loss on investments	0	5,904	3,805
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities	(2,515)	(3,821)	(351)
Amortization of debt discount on convertible debentures	15,545	13,921	3,892
Derivatives - revaluation and amortization	44	(113)	(1,204)
Provision for deferred income taxes	79,326	109,561	58,030
Tax benefit (expense) from exercise of stock options	9,917	4,861	(4,352)
(Excess) reduction of tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(11,957)	(7,406)	1,315
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	71,499	(23,699)	(46,345)
Inventories	60,121	(133,724)	(10,779)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(7,401)	(4,854)	(9,174)
Other assets	1,427	(841)	(15,341)
Accounts payable	(20,640)	2,833	47,967
Accrued liabilities (including restructuring activities)	14,198	(3,496)	50,103
Income taxes payable	(19,909)	(15,630)	(20,170)
Deferred income on shipments to distributors	(32,761)	19,631	17,768
Net cash provided by operating activities	826,739	724,152	554,291
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	(4,333,508)	(2,578,393)	(1,669,148)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of available-for-sale securities	3,481,501	2,052,016	1,362,838
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(70,071)	(64,979)	(28,152)
Other investing activities	(38,819)	(34,085)	(2,270)
Net cash used in investing activities	(960,897)	(625,441)	(336,732)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of common stock	(219,638)	(468,943)	(149,997)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock through various stock plans	108,663	170,353	64,871
Payment of dividends to stockholders	(200,361)	(169,072)	(165,648)
Proceeds from issuance of convertible debts, net of issuance costs		587,644
Purchase of call options		(112,319)
Proceeds from issuance of warrants		46,908
Proceeds from sale of interest rate swaps		30,214
Excess (reduction of) tax benefit from stock-based compensation	11,957	7,406	(1,315)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(299,379)	92,191	(252,089)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(433,537)	190,902	(34,530)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,222,359	1,031,457	1,065,987
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	788,822	1,222,359	1,031,457
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	37,301	29,827	21,551
Income taxes paid (refunds)	$ (2,447)	$ 30,561	$ 31,869