Restructuring and Acquisition-Related Charges - Additional information (Detail) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) position	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) position	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($) position	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and acquisition-related charges			$ 450	$ 239	$ 224
Restructuring charges			420	210	139
Acquisition-related charges	$ 14		4	6	8
Lease termination costs for facilities			18	$ 18	$ 18
Cost Reduction Program, Expected Future Annual Cost Reduction	$ 850		$ 850
Restructuring 2013 Programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated | position				2,100
Restructuring 2012 Programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated | position					1,900
Restructuring 2015 Programs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated			4,600
VMware
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			$ 23	$ 18	$ 54
Acquisition-related charges			$ 3	7	5
Asset Impairment Charges				$ 2	18
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current					$ 44
VMware | Restructuring 2014 Programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated				180
VMware | Restructuring 2013 Programs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated					710
VMware | Restructuring 2015 Programs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated | position			380
Subsequent Event | 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Remaining cash portion owed for restructuring programs		$ 4
Subsequent Event | 2016 and beyond
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Remaining cash portion owed for restructuring programs						$ 7