Shareholders' Equity - Reconciliation from Basic To Diluted Earnings Per Share for both Numerators and Denominators (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator:
Net income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 587	$ 586	$ 1,568	$ 1,867
Incremental dilution from VMware	(1)	(2)	(4)	(5)
Net income – dilution attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 586	$ 584	$ 1,564	$ 1,862
Denominator:
Weighted average shares, basic	2,032	2,069	2,033	2,088
Weighted common stock equivalents	25	29	26	29
Assumed conversion of the 2013 Notes and associated warrants	0	67	6	59
Weighted average shares, diluted	2,057	2,165	2,065	2,176