Stock Repurchased During Period, Amount Per Share

No definition available.

Name:	emc_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodAmountPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	emc_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfEquityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased during the period and has not been retired and is not held in treasury. Some state laws may mandate the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of a stock repurchase plan authorized by an entity's Board of Directors.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Repurchase Programs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2013 VMware Stock Repurchase Plan	Nov. 30, 2012 VMware Stock Repurchase Plan	Feb. 29, 2012 VMware Stock Repurchase Plan	Feb. 28, 2011 VMware Stock Repurchase Plan	Mar. 31, 2010 VMware Stock Repurchase Plan	Dec. 31, 2013 VMware Stock Repurchase Plan VMware Class A common stock	Dec. 31, 2012 VMware Stock Repurchase Plan VMware Class A common stock	Dec. 31, 2011 VMware Stock Repurchase Plan VMware Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Amount Authorized				$ 700	$ 250	$ 600	$ 550	$ 400
Payments for Repurchase of Equity [Abstract]
Aggregate purchase price	$ 3,000	$ 700	$ 2,000						$ 508	$ 468	$ 526
Class A common shares repurchased									7	5	6
Weighted-average price per share									$ 76.58	$ 91.10	$ 88.37