Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation from Basic To Diluted Earnings Per Share for both Numerators and Denominators (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator:
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 1,022	$ 586	$ 701	$ 580	$ 870	$ 626	$ 650	$ 587	$ 2,889	$ 2,733	$ 2,461
Incremental dilution from VMware									8	10	14
Net income – dilution attributable to EMC Corporation									$ 2,881	$ 2,723	$ 2,447
Denominator:
Weighted average shares, basic									2,074	2,093	2,056
Weighted common stock equivalents (in shares)									28	40	52
Assumed conversion of the 2013 Notes and associated warrants (in shares)									58	73	121
Weighted average shares, diluted (in shares)									2,160	2,206	2,229