Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,783,035	$ 2,064,475	$ 1,954,426
Cost of sales	541,523	610,329	566,942
Gross margin	1,241,512	1,454,146	1,387,484
Research and development expense	360,421	325,733	264,649
Selling, general, and administrative expense	289,854	279,217	254,495
Compensation expense (benefit) - deferred compensation plan	7,055	(1,964)	6,839
(Gain) loss on deferred compensation plan securities	(7,055)	1,964	(6,839)
Interest income and other	(8,388)	(3,544)	(3,330)
(Gain)/loss reclassified from other comprehensive income	(268)	18	0
Interest expense	7,976	3,730	3,843
Income before income taxes	591,917	848,992	867,827
Income tax expense	35,110	78,281	84,943
Net income	556,807	770,711	782,884
Unrealized gain/(loss) on investments:
Unrealized holding gain/(loss) on investments arising during period, net of tax of $114 and ($17)	5,839	(149)	0
Less: Reclassification adjustments for (gain)/loss on investments included in net income, net of tax of $25 and ($2)	(114)	16	0
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securites, net of tax benefit	5,725	(133)	0
Unrealized gain on derivatives:
Unrealized gain on derivatives arising during period, net of tax of $45	84	0	0
Less: Reclassification adjustments for gain on derivatives included in net income, net of tax of $45	(84)	0	0
Net unrealized gain on derivatives, net of tax	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,725	(133)	0
Comprehensive income	$ 562,532	$ 770,578	$ 782,884
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.74	$ 2.39	$ 2.55
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.72	$ 2.35	$ 2.49
Shares used in computing per share amounts:
Basic (in shares)	320,830	321,892	307,302
Diluted (in shares)	324,497	327,606	313,912
Cash dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ 0.28	$ 0.22