Effect of Changes in Ownership Interest in VMware on Equity (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 580,050	$ 586,842
Transfers (to) from the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.:
Increase in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s equity issuances	35,777	61,261
Decrease in EMC Corporation’s additional paid-in-capital for VMware’s other equity activity	(167,753)	(42,270)
Net transfers (to) from non-controlling interest	(131,976)	18,991
Change from net income attributable to EMC Corporation and transfers from the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	$ 448,074	$ 605,833