Available for Sale and Held to Maturity Investments (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	May 06, 2012	Aug. 28, 2011
Available for Sale and Held to Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	$ 1,074
Unrealized gains	7	10
Held-to-maturity, cost basis	104
Total available-for-sale, recorded basis	1,081
Total short-term investments, recorded basis	1,185	1,604
Total short-term investments, cost basis	1,178	1,594
Held-to-maturity, recorded basis	104
U.S. Government and Agency Securities
Available for Sale and Held to Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	906	1,096
Unrealized gains	6	8
Total available-for-sale, recorded basis	912	1,104
Corporate Notes and Bonds
Available for Sale and Held to Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	59	6
Unrealized gains	0	1
Total available-for-sale, recorded basis	59	7
FDIC-Insured Corporate Bonds
Available for Sale and Held to Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	100	208
Unrealized gains	1	1
Total available-for-sale, recorded basis	101	209
Asset and Mortgage Backed Securities
Available for Sale and Held to Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	9	12
Unrealized gains	0	0
Total available-for-sale, recorded basis	9	12
Available-for-sale Securities
Available for Sale and Held to Maturity [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt maturities, cost basis	1,074	1,322
Unrealized gains	7	10
Total available-for-sale, recorded basis	1,081	1,332
Held-to-maturity Securities | Certificates of Deposit
Available for Sale and Held to Maturity [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity, cost basis	104	272
Held-to-maturity, recorded basis	$ 104	$ 272