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Investments - Short-Term and Long-Term Investments in Debt Securities (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Short-term investments $ 206,085us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent $ 185,783us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
Long-term investments 41,158us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent 59,197us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
Short-term Investments    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 206,078us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
185,812us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains 47us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
26us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses (40)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
(55)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term investments 206,085us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
185,783us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term Investments | U.S. Government Securities    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 32,183us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
26,930us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains 18us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
7us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses   (2)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term investments 32,201us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
26,935us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term Investments | U.S. Government Agency Securities    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 66,737us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
59,336us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains 12us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
7us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses (5)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
(6)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term investments 66,744us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
59,337us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term Investments | Non-U.S. Government Securities    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 9,556us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
8,764us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains   2us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
 
Short-term investments 9,555us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
8,766us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term Investments | Corporate Debt Securities    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 97,602us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
90,782us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains 17us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
10us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses (34)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
(47)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Short-term investments 97,585us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
90,745us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember
Long-term investments    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 41,124us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
59,229us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains 45us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
7us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses (11)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
(39)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Long-term investments 41,158us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
59,197us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Long-term investments | U.S. Government Securities    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 15,140us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
25,320us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains 23us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
4us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses   (10)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Long-term investments 15,163us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
25,314us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Long-term investments | U.S. Government Agency Securities    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 14,040us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
17,369us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains 13us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses   (14)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Long-term investments 14,053us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
17,356us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Long-term investments | Corporate Debt Securities    
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]    
Cost Basis 11,944us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
16,540us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Gains 9us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
2us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Unrealized Losses (11)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
(15)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
Long-term investments $ 11,942us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember
$ 16,527us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecuritiesNoncurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueOfSeparateAccountsByMajorCategoryOfInvestmentAxis
= plcm_LongTermInvestmentsMember