Reconciliation from Basic To Diluted Earnings Per Share for both Numerators and Denominators (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 580,050	$ 586,842
Incremental dilution from VMware	(1,485)	(2,891)
Net income - dilution attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 578,565	$ 583,951
Denominator:
Weighted average shares, basic	2,102,368	2,067,828
Weighted common stock equivalents	30,397	45,606
Assumed conversion of the 2013 Notes and associated warrants	56,645	88,499
Weighted average shares, diluted	2,189,410	2,201,933