CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Non-controlling Interest in VMware
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 18,633,925	$ 20,692	$ 4,283,830	$ 13,659,284	$ (92,617)	$ 762,736
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		2,069,246
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued through stock option and stock purchase plans (in shares)		39,010
Stock issued through stock option and stock purchase plans	501,627	391	501,236
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	362,495		362,495
Restricted stock grants, cancellations and withholdings, net (in shares)		8,894
Restricted stock grants, cancellations and withholdings, net	(110,158)	89	(110,247)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(77,193)
Repurchase of common stock	(1,899,208)	(772)	(1,898,436)
EMC purchase of VMware stock	(342,201)		(304,022)			(38,179)
Stock options issued in business acquisitions	3,224		3,224
Stock-based compensation	629,301		629,301
Impact from equity transactions of VMware, Inc.	(310,618)		(380,821)			70,203
Change in market value of investments	(44,444)				(40,665)	(3,779)
Changes in market value of derivatives	(81,703)				(81,703)
Translation adjustment	(5,317)				(5,317)
Reclassification of convertible debt (to)/from mezzanine (Note 4)	90,367		90,367
Net income	1,736,295			1,629,291		107,004
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	19,163,585	20,400	3,176,927	15,288,575	(220,302)	897,985
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011		2,039,957
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	20,279,703	20,489	3,405,513	16,120,621	(235,009)	968,089
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	2,048,890	2,048,890
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock issued through stock option and stock purchase plans (in shares)		30,336
Stock issued through stock option and stock purchase plans	387,782	303	387,479
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	257,052		257,052
Restricted stock grants, cancellations and withholdings, net (in shares)		10,427
Restricted stock grants, cancellations and withholdings, net	(120,329)	105	(120,434)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(15,343)
Repurchase of common stock	(409,997)	(153)	(409,844)
EMC purchase of VMware stock	(131,917)		(114,033)			(17,884)
Stock options issued in business acquisitions	17,994		17,994
Stock-based compensation	660,462		660,462
Impact from equity transactions of VMware, Inc.	(186,041)		(274,662)			88,621
Change in market value of investments	84,092				82,905	1,187
Changes in market value of derivatives	(10,789)				(11,055)	266
Translation adjustment	7,856				7,856
Convertible debt conversions and warrant settlement (in shares)		32,345
Convertible debt conversions and warrant settlement	(704)	323	(1,027)
Reclassification of convertible debt (to)/from mezzanine (Note 4)	46,045		46,045
Net income	1,974,061			1,862,694		111,367
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 22,855,270	$ 21,067	$ 3,854,545	$ 17,983,315	$ (155,303)	$ 1,151,646
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	2,106,655	2,106,655