Reconciliation from Basic To Diluted Earnings Per Share for both Numerators and Denominators (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Numerator:
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 626,338	$ 605,649	$ 1,862,694	$ 1,629,291
Incremental dilution from VMware	(1,766)	(3,233)	(7,425)	(11,178)
Net income - dilution attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 624,572	$ 602,416	$ 1,855,269	$ 1,618,113
Denominator:
Weighted average shares, basic	2,104,205	2,054,007	2,089,516	2,060,242
Weighted common stock equivalents	38,043	46,629	41,974	55,418
Assumed conversion of the 2013 Notes and associated warrants	68,173	106,463	75,315	128,848
Weighted average shares, diluted	2,210,421	2,207,099	2,206,805	2,244,508