Investments (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Aug. 03, 2012

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments

NOTE 4 — INVESTMENTS

The following table summarizes, by major security type, the fair value and amortized cost of Dell's investments. All debt security investments with remaining maturities in excess of one year and substantially all equity and other securities are recorded as long-term investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

	August 3, 2012								February 3, 2012
	Fair Value		Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized (Loss)		Fair Value		Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized (Loss)
	(in millions)
Investments:
Non- U.S. government and agencies	$	19	$	19	$	—	$	—	$	24	$	24	$	—	$	—
Commercial paper	13		13		—		—		434		434		—		—
U.S. corporate	277		277		—		—		336		335		1		—
International corporate	63		63		—		—		172		172		—		—
Total short-term investments	372		372		—		—		966		965		1		—
Non- U.S. government and agencies	122		122		—		—		70		70		—		—
U.S. corporate	1,799		1,785		14		—		2,332		2,322		12		(2		)
International corporate	693		687		6		—		883		880		4		(1		)
Equity and other securities	124		124		—		—		119		119		—		—
Total long-term investments	2,738		2,718		20		—		3,404		3,391		16		(3		)
Total investments	$	3,110	$	3,090	$	20	$	—	$	4,370	$	4,356	$	17	$	(3	)

Dell's investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale. Equity and other securities primarily relate to investments held in Dell's Deferred Compensation Plan, which are classified as trading securities.  The remaining equity and other securities are initially recorded at cost and reduced for any impairment losses. Security classes reported at fair value use the specific identification method. The fair value of Dell's portfolio can be affected by interest rate movements, credit risk, and liquidity risks. Dell's investments in debt securities have contractual maturities of three years or less.