Effect of Changes in Ownership Interest in VMware on Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 626,338	$ 605,649	$ 1,862,694	$ 1,629,291
Transfers (to) from the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.:
Increase in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s equity issuances			117,635	160,908
Decrease in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s other equity activity			(392,297)	(541,729)
Net transfers (to) from non-controlling interest			(274,662)	(380,821)
Change from net income attributable to EMC Corporation and transfers from the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.			$ 1,588,032	$ 1,248,470