Reconciliation from Basic To Diluted Earnings Per Share for both Numerators and Denominators (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Numerator:
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 649,514	$ 546,494	$ 1,236,356	$ 1,023,642
Incremental dilution from VMware	(2,596)	(4,404)	(5,540)	(7,320)
Net income - dilution attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 646,918	$ 542,090	$ 1,230,816	$ 1,016,322
Denominator:
Weighted average shares, basic	2,096,378	2,060,748	2,082,103	2,063,427
Weighted common stock equivalents	42,025	57,936	43,921	58,840
Assumed conversion of the 2013 Notes and associated warrants	69,272	147,781	78,886	140,041
Weighted average shares, diluted	2,207,675	2,266,465	2,204,910	2,262,308