Activity For Restructuring Program (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	$ 114	$ 82
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	119
Utilization	(16)
Ending Balance	103
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	117
Utilization	(15)
Ending Balance	102
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	2
Utilization	(1)
Ending Balance	1
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	90	91
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	(5)	3
Utilization	(28)	(17)
Ending Balance	57	77
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	66	63
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	(8)	(4)
Utilization	(21)	(12)
Ending Balance	37	47
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	24	28
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	3	7
Utilization	(7)	(5)
Ending Balance	20	30
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2013 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		79
Utilization		(13)
Ending Balance		66
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2013 Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		79
Utilization		(13)
Ending Balance		66
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2013 Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		0
Utilization		0
Ending Balance		0
VMware
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		54
VMware | Restructuring 2013 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		54
Utilization		(28)
Ending Balance		26
VMware | Restructuring 2013 Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		54
Utilization		(28)
Ending Balance		26
VMware | Restructuring 2013 Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		0
Utilization		0
Ending Balance		$ 0