Stock-Based Compensation - Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
EMC Employee Stock Purchase - 1989 Plan | Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash proceeds	$ 82	$ 154	$ 141
Common shares purchased	4	7	7
Weighted-average price per share	$ 20.08	$ 21.65	$ 20.44
VMware | VMware Employee Stock Purchase - 2007 Plan | VMware Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash proceeds	$ 76	$ 69	$ 57
Common shares purchased	1	1	1
Weighted-average price per share	$ 65.97	$ 77.34	$ 69.81