CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$ 16,556,689	$ 15,434,151
Cash paid to suppliers and employees	(11,950,620)	(11,577,038)
Dividends and interest received	64,780	77,706
Interest paid	(16,880)	(54,683)
Income taxes paid	(290,888)	(395,539)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,363,081	3,484,597
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(523,459)	(601,177)
Capitalized software development costs	(315,798)	(342,091)
Purchases of short- and long-term available-for-sale securities	(5,011,791)	(5,589,382)
Sales of short- and long-term available-for-sale securities	4,153,617	3,945,683
Maturities of short- and long-term available-for-sale securities	844,287	877,510
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,878,051)	(536,624)
Decrease (increase) in strategic and other related investments	18,648	(268,087)
Joint venture funding	(217,881)	(191,624)
Purchase of leasehold interest	0	(151,083)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,930,428)	(2,856,875)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of EMC's common stock from the exercise of stock options	387,782	501,627
Issuance of VMware's common stock from the exercise of stock options	214,223	285,286
EMC purchase of VMware's common stock	(131,917)	(342,201)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	212,280	318,717
Payment of long-term and short-term obligations	(14,677)	(1,263)
Proceeds from long-term and short-term obligations	4,279	1,253
Payment of convertible debt	(1,699,816)	0
Interest rate contract settlement	(69,905)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,784,760)	(1,626,705)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(18,112)	5,455
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(370,219)	(993,528)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	4,531,036	4,119,138
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,160,817	3,125,610
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income	1,974,061	1,736,295
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,127,881	1,048,151
Non-cash interest expense on convertible debt	33,871	76,398
Non-cash restructuring and other special charges	8,990	(2,325)
Stock-based compensation expense	658,455	613,233
Provision for doubtful accounts	21,339	8,525
Deferred income taxes, net	(72,657)	83,657
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(212,280)	(318,717)
Other, net	(19,555)	(28,740)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable	(207,395)	(56,076)
Inventories	(336,748)	(416,898)
Other assets	62,820	(157,024)
Accounts payable	118,950	(75,263)
Accrued expenses	(225,725)	51,747
Income taxes payable	372,369	(13,740)
Deferred revenue	1,058,798	1,048,545
Other liabilities	(93)	(113,171)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,363,081	3,484,597
Parent
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock	(379,997)	(1,899,208)
VMware
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of common stock	$ (307,012)	$ (490,916)