CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 291us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 432us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (benefits):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(104)	(4)
Changes in market value of investments:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $13 and $14	19	24
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) realized in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $(6) and $(3)	(8)	(5)
Net change in market value of investments	11	19
Changes in market value of derivatives:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $3 and $(1)	14	(1)
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $0 and $0	(11)	(2)
Net change in the market value of derivatives	3	(3)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(90)	12
Comprehensive income	201	444
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(39)	(40)
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(1)	(1)
Comprehensive income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 161us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 403us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities.

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