Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributors (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributors
Deferred revenue on shipments to distributors	$ 512,872		$ 363,641
Deferred cost of sales on shipments to distributors	(33,809)		(28,101)
Deferred income on shipments to distributors	479,063		335,540
Other deferred revenue	8,683	[1]	10,453	[1]
Total	487,746		345,993
Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributor Activity
Balance at beginning of period	345,993		279,876
Deferred revenue recognized upon shipment to distributors	5,870,096		5,517,540
Deferred costs of sales recognized upon shipments to distributors	(269,969)		(238,256)
Revenue recognized upon sell-through to end customers	(1,055,137)		(1,023,465)
Costs of sales recognized upon sell-through to end customers	260,326		237,703
Earned distributor price concessions	(4,575,430)	[2]	(4,345,473)	[2]
Returns	(88,058)		(82,577)
(Decrease)/ increase in other deferred revenue	(75)		645
Balance at end of period	$ 487,746		$ 345,993
Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributors Textuals [Abstract]
Minimum percentage of average aggregate price concessions on list price	70.00%
Maximum percentage of average aggregate price concessions on list price	85.00%
Maximum time period to submit claim for receiving price concession, days	60 days
Period of settlement for receivable balances, days	30 days

[1] Principally represents revenue deferred on our maintenance contracts, software and intellectual property licenses.

[2] Average aggregate price concessions typically range from 70% to 85% of our list price on an annual basis, depending upon the composition of our sales, volumes, and factors associated with the timing of shipments to distributors.