Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributors (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2015 Rate		Mar. 28, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributors
Deferred revenue on shipment to distributors	$ 440,453				$ 369,560
Deferred cost of sales on shipment to distributors	(35,479)				(32,172)
Deferred income on shipment to distributors	404,974				337,388
Other deferred revenue	6,584	[1]			6,780	[1]
Total	411,558				344,168
Deferred Income and Allowances on Sales to Distributor Activity
Balance at beginning of period	344,168		487,746
Deferred revenue recognized upon shipment to distributors	1,478,292		1,354,597
Deferred cost of sales recognized upon shipment to distributors	(70,524)		(66,527)
Revenue recognized upon sell-through to end customers	(249,284)		(277,671)
Cost of sales recognized upon sell-through to end customers	66,651		66,733
Earned distributor price concessions	(1,147,370)	[2]	(1,137,745)	[2]
Returns	(10,198)		(11,163)
Other	(177)		(1,451)
Balance at end of period	$ 411,558		$ 414,519
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 timing of shipments to distributors.