Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (12,300,000)	$ (6,983,000)
Unrealized losses on temporarily impaired investments, net of tax benefits of $(16,732) and $(7,728)	(30,037,000)	(12,533,000)
Unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes of $16,605 and $32,684	26,883,000	53,823,000
Unrealized losses on derivatives, net of tax benefits of $(55,355) and $(3,403)	(87,637,000)	(5,934,000)
Recognition of actuarial net loss from pension and other postretirement plans, net of tax benefits of $(70,388) and $(70,388)	(117,058,000)	(117,058,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest, Total	(220,149,000)	(88,685,000)
Less: Accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(153,000)	(3,932,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	$ (220,302,000)	$ (92,617,000)