CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 627	$ 639	$ 1,681	$ 2,003
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (benefits):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(61)	12	(57)	(44)
Changes in market value of investments:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $16, $0, $65 and $(16)	24	(1)	107	(30)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) realized in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $(5), $0, $(11) and $(4)	(8)	1	(19)	(7)
Net change in market value of investments	16	0	88	(37)
Changes in market value of derivatives:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $3, $(1), $3 and $2	10	(1)	11	6
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $0, $0, $0 and $(2)	1	(1)	(2)	(9)
Net change in the market value of derivatives	11	(2)	9	(3)
Change in actuarial net gain (loss) from pension and other postretirement plans:
Recognition of actuarial net gain (loss) from pension and other postretirement plans, net of taxes (benefits)	2	0	2	0
Reclassification adjustments for net gains from pension and other postretirement plans, net of taxes (benefits)	(1)	0	(1)	0
Net change in actuarial gain (loss) from pension and other postretirement plans	1	0	1	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(33)	10	41	(84)
Comprehensive income	594	649	1,722	1,919
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(40)	(53)	(113)	(136)
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	1	(1)	0	1
Comprehensive income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 555	$ 595	$ 1,609	$ 1,784