Shareholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			$ (579)	$ (366)	$ (366)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			5	(60)
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			13	(32)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			18	(92)
Ending balance	$ (561)	$ (458)	(561)	(458)	(579)	$ (366)
Taxes (benefits)	222	170	311	252
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(356)	(187)	(187)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(21)	(86)
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			(21)	(86)
Ending balance	(377)	(273)	(377)	(273)	(356)	(187)
Unrealized Net Gains on Investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(10)	49	49
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			32	20
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			4	(21)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			36	(1)
Ending balance	26	48	26	48	(10)	49
Taxes (benefits)			15	31	(5)	31
Unrealized Net Losses on Derivatives
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(89)	(99)	(99)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			0	9
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			9	(11)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			9	(2)
Ending balance	(80)	(101)	(80)	(101)	(89)	(99)
Taxes (benefits)			(51)	(61)	(56)	(64)
Recognition of Actuarial Net Loss from Pension and Other Postretirement Plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance			(125)	(126)	(126)
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	(125)	(126)	(125)	(126)	(125)	(126)
Taxes (benefits)			(71)	(70)	(71)	(70)
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	(3)	(3)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications			(6)	(3)
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)			(6)	(3)
Ending balance	$ (5)	$ (6)	$ (5)	$ (6)	$ 1	$ (3)