Activity For Restructuring Program (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	$ 29	$ 4	$ 144	$ 85
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	103		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	36		155
Restructuring Utilization	(38)		(54)
Ending Balance	101		101
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	102		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	32		149
Restructuring Utilization	(36)		(51)
Ending Balance	98		98
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	4		6
Restructuring Utilization	(2)		(3)
Ending Balance	3		3
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	57	76	90	91
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	(7)	(1)	(11)	1
Restructuring Utilization	(15)	(19)	(44)	(36)
Ending Balance	35	56	35	56
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	37	46	66	63
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	(7)	(3)	(13)	(8)
Restructuring Utilization	(13)	(14)	(36)	(26)
Ending Balance	17	29	17	29
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	20	30	24	28
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)	0	2	2	9
Restructuring Utilization	(2)	(5)	(8)	(10)
Ending Balance	18	27	18	27
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2013 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		66		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		5		84
Restructuring Utilization		(24)		(37)
Ending Balance		47		47
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2013 Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		66		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		2		81
Restructuring Utilization		(23)		(36)
Ending Balance		45		45
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2013 Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		3		3
Restructuring Utilization		(1)		(1)
Ending Balance		2		2
VMware
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		2		56
VMware | Restructuring 2013 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		26		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		2		56
Restructuring Utilization		(26)		(54)
Ending Balance		2		2
VMware | Restructuring 2013 Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		26		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		2		56
Restructuring Utilization		(26)		(54)
Ending Balance		2		2
VMware | Restructuring 2013 Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0		0
Charges/ (Adjustments to the Provision)		0		0
Restructuring Utilization		0		0
Ending Balance		$ 0		$ 0