CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 2,894	$ 3,093	$ 2,886
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (benefits):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(135)	(44)	2
Changes in market value of investments:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $36, $(13) and $31	57	(22)	53
Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income, net of taxes of $23, $6 and $4	(39)	(11)	(5)
Net change in market value of investments	18	(33)	48
Changes in market value of derivatives:
Changes in market value of derivatives, net of taxes (benefits) of $2, $3 and $(20)	24	13	(36)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $0, $(2) and $15	(18)	(10)	28
Net change in the market value of derivatives	6	3	(8)
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) of $(12), $20 and $(10)	(22)	34	(22)
Reclassification adjustments for net losses from pension and other postretirement plans, net of benefits $3, $6 and $5	(6)	(9)	(8)
Net change in actuarial gain (loss) from pension and other postretirement plans	(16)	43	(14)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(127)	(31)	28
Comprehensive income	2,767	3,062	2,914
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	180	204	153
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	0	0	(2)
Comprehensive income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 2,587	$ 2,858	$ 2,759