Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefits of $0 and $0	$ (10,780,000)	$ (6,983,000)
Unrealized losses on temporarily impaired investments, net of tax benefits of $(8,492) and $(7,278)	(15,044,000)	(12,533,000)
Unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes of $18,343 and $32,684	30,608,000	53,823,000
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net of taxes (benefits) of $(62,210) and $(3,403)	(100,446,000)	(5,934,000)
Recognition of actuarial net loss from pension and other postretirement plans, net of tax benefits of $(81,798) and $(70,388)	(139,108,000)	(117,058,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest, Total	(234,770,000)	(88,685,000)
Less: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(239,000)	(3,932,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	$ (235,009,000)	$ (92,617,000)