Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 6,029,955	$ 5,278,176	$ 5,311,393	$ 5,094,378	$ 5,574,431	$ 4,980,201	$ 4,845,338	$ 4,607,618	$ 21,713,902	$ 20,007,588	$ 17,015,126
Gross profit	3,890,214	3,287,539	3,347,393	3,113,217	3,523,339	3,066,265	2,880,287	2,699,051	13,638,363	12,168,942	10,030,981
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 869,919	$ 626,338	$ 649,514	$ 586,842	$ 832,046	$ 605,649	$ 546,494	$ 477,148	$ 2,732,613	$ 2,461,337	$ 1,899,995
Net income per weighted average share, diluted: common shareholders	$ 0.39	$ 0.28	$ 0.29	$ 0.27	$ 0.38	$ 0.27	$ 0.24	$ 0.21	$ 1.23	$ 1.10	$ 0.88