Restructuring charges/other (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	5 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		5 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	5 Months Ended		3 Months Ended						15 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			15 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Nov. 30, 2012 2012 Action [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 2012 Action [Member] Jobs	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member] Business restructuring impairments and other charges [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member] Other exit costs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member] Other exit costs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2012 Action [Member] Impairment of Goodwill [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Business restructuring impairments and other charges [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 2011 Action [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 2011 Action [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] facilities	Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Other exit costs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 2011 Action [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Other exit costs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Accelerated depreciation of facility assets [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 2011 Action [Member] Total costs expected to be recognized from announcement date to middle of next fiscal year [Member] Semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hiji, Japan, and Houston, Texas [Member] Other exit costs [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Prior Actions [Member] Employee severance and benefits charges reserves [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Prior Actions [Member] Business restructuring impairments and other charges [Member]
Restructuring and Related Cost [Line Items]
Expected reduction in annualized expenses			$ 450
Number of jobs eliminated (in jobs)						1,700
Payments for severance costs					33																30
Restructuring and related activities, Number of facilities closing																						2
Total expected restructuring and related charges																										215	135	30	50
Changes in Accrued Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning accrual	349						241		0						94		3													5		6
Restructuring charges	15			9	360		4	249	5	3	6	2	15	90	0		6		6	10	167		5	1	10					0		0
Non-cash items	(8)	[1]					0		(3)						0	[1]	(5)	[1]												0	[1]	0	[1]
Payments	(53)						(29)		0						(19)		(3)													(2)		0
Remaining accrual	$ 303						$ 216	$ 216	$ 2						$ 75		$ 1													$ 3		$ 6

[1] Reflects charges for stock-based compensation, impacts of postretirement benefit plans and accelerated depreciation.