CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 630	$ 519	$ 927	$ 811
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (benefits):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(24)	18	(21)	(86)
Changes in market value of investments:
Changes in unrealized gains, net of taxes of $6, $0, $18 and $12	12	1	32	20
Reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $2, $(7), $2 and $(13)	2	(13)	4	(21)
Net change in market value of investments	14	(12)	36	(1)
Changes in market value of derivatives:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $2, $(2), $1 and $1	4	(5)	0	9
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income, net of benefits of $2, $2, $4 and $2	5	0	9	(11)
Net change in the market value of derivatives	9	(5)	9	(2)
Change in actuarial net gain (loss) from pension and other postretirement plans:
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1)	1	24	(89)
Comprehensive income	629	520	951	722
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests	(49)	(32)	(78)	(72)
Less: Other comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interests	(2)	(2)	(6)	(3)
Comprehensive income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 578	$ 486	$ 867	$ 647