CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 2,886,017	$ 2,608,885	$ 1,969,686
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (benefits):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,994	(3,797)	(4,634)
Changes in market value of investments:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $30,788, $(11,379) and $23,934	53,185	(20,525)	44,826
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) realized in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $(4,014), $(4,175) and $(4,178)	(5,264)	(5,201)	(11,792)
Net change in market value of investments	47,921	(25,726)	33,034
Changes in market value of derivatives:
Changes in market value of derivatives, net of taxes (benefits) of $(20,497), $(58,332) and $(3,095)	(35,935)	(91,095)	(1,614)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $15,460, $(475) and $(907)	27,736	(3,417)	(6,531)
Net change in the market value of derivatives	(8,199)	(94,512)	(8,145)
Recognition of actuarial net gain (loss) from pension and other postretirement plan, net of taxes (benefits) of $(5,490), $(11,410) and $(1,392)	(14,064)	(22,050)	(4,057)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	27,652	(146,085)	16,198
Comprehensive income	2,913,669	2,462,800	1,985,884
Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(153,404)	(147,548)	(69,691)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(916)	3,693	(3,093)
Comprehensive income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 2,759,349	$ 2,318,945	$ 1,913,100