Shareholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (366)	$ (239)	$ (239)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(72)	18
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(19)	(7)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(91)	11
Ending balance	(457)	(228)
Taxes (benefits)	82	139
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(188)	(53)	(53)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(104)	(4)
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(104)	(4)
Ending balance	(292)	(57)
Unrealized Net Gains on Investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	49	31	31
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	19	24
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(8)	(5)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	11	19
Ending balance	60	50	49	31
Taxes (benefits)	38	29	31	18
Unrealized Net Losses on Derivatives
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(100)	(106)	(106)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	14	(1)
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(11)	(2)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	3	(3)
Ending balance	(97)	(109)	(100)	(106)
Taxes (benefits)	(61)	(67)	(64)	(66)
Recognition of Actuarial Net Loss from Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(126)	(110)	(110)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Ending balance	(126)	(110)	(126)	(110)
Taxes (benefits)	(70)	(61)	(70)	(61)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to the Non-controlling Interest in VMware, Inc.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1)	(1)	(1)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(1)	(1)
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(1)	(1)
Ending balance	$ (2)	$ (2)