CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 3,093	$ 2,886	$ 2,609
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (benefits):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(44)	2	(4)
Changes in market value of investments:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $(13), $31 and $(11)	(22)	53	(21)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) realized in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $(6), $(4) and $(4)	(11)	(5)	(5)
Net change in market value of investments	(33)	48	(26)
Changes in market value of derivatives:
Changes in market value of derivatives, net of taxes (benefits) of $3, $(20) and $(58)	13	(36)	(91)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $(2), $15 and $0	(10)	28	(3)
Net change in the market value of derivatives	3	(8)	(94)
Recognition of actuarial net gain (loss) from pension and other postretirement plan, net of taxes (benefits) of $26, $(5) and $(11)	43	(14)	(22)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(31)	28	(146)
Comprehensive income	3,062	2,914	2,463
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(204)	(153)	(148)
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	0	(2)	4
Comprehensive income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 2,858	$ 2,759	$ 2,319