Effect of Changes in Ownership Interest in VMware on Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 649,514	$ 546,494	$ 1,236,356	$ 1,023,642
Transfers (to) from the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.:
Increase in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s equity issuances			77,477	112,736
Decrease in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s other equity activity			(249,792)	(335,523)
Net transfers (to) from non-controlling interest			(172,315)	(222,787)
Change from net income attributable to EMC Corporation and transfers from the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.			$ 1,064,041	$ 800,855