Segment and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012		Oct. 01, 2011		Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Sales:
Sales	$ 4,962,331		$ 5,186,857		$ 15,002,423	$ 15,949,791
Operating income (loss):
Operating income	163,817		209,162		539,955	676,660
Restructuring, integration, and other charges	14,562		8,848		36,152	23,676
Settlement of legal matter	0		0		0	5,875
Assets	10,075,363				10,075,363		9,829,079
Global Components [Member]
Sales:
Sales	3,372,117		3,648,858		10,175,358	11,410,789
Operating income (loss):
Operating income	155,061		194,178		496,293	647,094
Assets	6,517,451				6,517,451		5,974,174
Global ECS [Member]
Sales:
Sales	1,590,214		1,537,999		4,827,065	4,539,002
Operating income (loss):
Operating income	55,273		53,710		176,721	156,480
Assets	2,893,186				2,893,186		3,206,788
Corporate [Member]
Operating income (loss):
Operating income	(46,517)	[1]	(38,726)	[1]	(133,059)	(126,914)
Assets	$ 664,726				$ 664,726		$ 648,117

[1] (a)Includes restructuring, integration, and other charges of $14,562 and $36,152 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2012 and $8,848 and $23,676 for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively. Also included in the first nine months of 2011 is a charge of $5,875 related to the settlement of a legal matter.