INTERIM UPDATE TO SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	References in these Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements to the “Company” or “Dell Technologies” mean Dell Technologies Inc. individually and together with its consolidated subsidiaries.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation — The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2020. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary to fairly state the financial position of Dell Technologies Inc. as of July 31, 2020 and January 31, 2020, the results of its operations and corresponding comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019, and its cash flows for the six months ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019.
Use of Estimates	The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes. Management has considered the potential economic implications of the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic on the Company’s critical and significant accounting estimates. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The results of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019 and the cash flows for the six months ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year or for any other fiscal period.
Fiscal Period	The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Friday nearest January 31. The fiscal year ended January 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020”) was a 52-week period, and the fiscal year ending January 29, 2021 (“Fiscal 2021”) will be a 52-week period.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation — These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Dell Technologies and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as the accounts of VMware, Inc. and SecureWorks Corp. (“Secureworks”), each of which is majority-owned by Dell Technologies. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity — In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to simplify the accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, and the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity's own equity. In addition, the guidance on calculating diluted earnings per share has been simplified and made more internally consistent. Public entities must adopt the new guidance for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact and timing of adoption of this guidance. Simplifying Accounting for Income Taxes — In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes, and by clarifying and amending existing guidance in order to improve consistent application of GAAP for other areas of Topic 740. Public entities must adopt the new guidance for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact and timing of adoption of this guidance. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments — In June 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance which replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology for measurement of credit losses on financial instruments with a methodology (the “current expected credit losses model” or “CECL model”) that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Under the CECL model, the allowance for losses on financial assets, measured at amortized cost, reflects management’s estimate of credit losses over the remaining expected life of such assets. The Company adopted the standard (the “new CECL standard”) as of February 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method, with the cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of stockholders’ equity (deficit) as of the adoption date. The cumulative effect of adopting the new CECL standard resulted in an increase of $111 million and $27 million to the allowance for expected credit losses within financing receivables, net and accounts receivable, net, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, and a corresponding decrease of $28 million to other non-current liabilities related to deferred taxes and $110 million to stockholders’ equity (deficit) as of February 1, 2020. See Note 2, Note 4, and Note 18 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the Company’s allowance for financing receivables losses and allowance for expected credit losses of accounts receivable. Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software — In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance on a customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud-computing arrangement when hosted by a vendor. The guidance provides that, in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract, certain implementation costs should be capitalized and amortized over the term of the arrangement. The Company adopted the standard (the “new cloud computing standard”) during the three months ended May 1, 2020 using the prospective method. The impact of the adoption of this standard was immaterial to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Allowance for Expected Credit Losses and Allowance for Financing Receivables Losses	Allowance for Expected Credit Losses — The Company recognizes an allowance for losses on accounts receivable in an amount equal to the current expected credit losses. The estimation of the allowance is based on an analysis of historical loss experience, current receivables aging, and management’s assessment of current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectation of future conditions, as well as an assessment of specific identifiable customer accounts considered at risk or uncollectible. The Company assesses collectibility by pooling receivables where similar characteristics exist and evaluates receivables individually when specific customer balances no longer share those risk characteristics and are considered at risk or uncollectible. The expense associated with the allowance for expected credit losses is recognized in selling, general, and administrative expenses. Allowance for Financing Receivables Losses — The Company recognizes an allowance for losses on financing receivables in an amount equal to the probable losses net of recoveries. The allowance for losses is determined based on various factors, including lifetime expected losses determined using macroeconomic forecast assumptions and management judgments applicable to and through the expected life of the portfolios as well as past due receivables, receivable type, and customer risk profile. Both fixed and revolving receivable loss rates are affected by macroeconomic conditions, including the level of gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth, the level of commercial capital equipment investment, unemployment rates, and the credit quality of the borrower. Customer account principal and interest are charged to the allowance for losses when an account is deemed to be uncollectible or generally when the account is 180 days delinquent. While the Company does not generally place financing receivables on non-accrual status during the delinquency period, accrued interest is included in the allowance for loss calculation and, therefore, the Company is adequately reserved in the event of charge off. Recoveries on receivables previously charged off as uncollectible are recorded to the allowance for financing receivables losses. The expense associated with the allowance for financing receivables losses is recognized as cost of net revenue.
Capitalized Software Development Costs	Capitalized Software Development Costs — The Company capitalizes certain internal and external costs to acquire or create internal use software which are incurred subsequent to the completion of the preliminary project stage. Development costs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over five years. Costs associated with maintenance and minor enhancements to the features and functionality of the Company’s website are expensed as incurred.
Money Market Funds	Money Market Funds — The Company’s investments in money market funds that are classified as cash equivalents hold underlying investments with a weighted average maturity of 90 days or less and are recognized at fair value. The valuations of these securities are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, when available, or pricing models whereby all significant inputs are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data. The Company reviews security pricing and assesses liquidity on a quarterly basis. As of July 31, 2020, the Company’s U.S. portfolio had no material exposure to money market funds with a fluctuating net asset value.
Equity and Other Securities	Equity and Other Securities — The majority of the Company’s investments in equity and other securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of strategic investments in publicly-traded companies. The valuation of these securities is based on quoted prices in active markets.
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments — The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist primarily of foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts and interest rate swaps. The fair value of the portfolio is determined using valuation models based on market observable inputs, including interest rate curves, forward and spot prices for currencies, and implied volatilities. Credit risk is also factored into the fair value calculation of the Company’s derivative instrument portfolio. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Company’s derivative financial instrument activities. As part of its risk management strategy, the Company uses derivative instruments, primarily foreign currency forward and option contracts and interest rate swaps, to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures, respectively. The Company’s objective is to offset gains and losses resulting from these exposures with gains and losses on the derivative contracts used to hedge the exposures, thereby reducing volatility of earnings and protecting the fair values of assets and liabilities. The earnings effects of the derivative instruments are presented in the same income statement line items as the earnings effects of the hedged items. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the Company assesses hedge effectiveness both at the onset of the hedge and at regular intervals throughout the life of the derivative. The Company does not have any derivatives designated as fair value hedges.
Deferred Compensation Plans	Deferred Compensation Plans — The Company offers deferred compensation plans for eligible employees, which allow participants to defer payment for a portion of their compensation. Assets were the same as liabilities associated with the plans at approximately $264 million and $241 million as of July 31, 2020 and January 31, 2020, respectively, and are included in other assets and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The net impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) is not material since changes in the fair value of the assets substantially offset changes in the fair value of the liabilities. As such, assets and liabilities associated with these plans have not been included in the recurring fair value table above.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis — Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and therefore are not included in the recurring fair value table above. These assets consist primarily of non-financial assets such as goodwill and intangible assets. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about goodwill and intangible assets. As of July 31, 2020 and January 31, 2020, the Company held private strategic investments of $983 million and $852 million, respectively. As these investments represent early-stage companies without readily determinable fair values, they are not included in the recurring fair value table above. The Company has elected to apply the measurement alternative for these investments. Under the alternative, the Company measures investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, adjusted by observable price changes. The Company must make a separate election to use the alternative for each eligible investment and is required to reassess at each reporting period whether an investment qualifies for the alternative. In evaluating these investments for impairment or observable price changes, the Company uses inputs including pre- and post-money valuations of recent financing events and the impact of those events on its fully diluted ownership percentages, as well as other available information regarding the issuer’s historical and forecasted performance.
Legal Matters	Legal Matters The Company is involved in various claims, suits, assessments, investigations, and legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business, including those identified below, consisting of matters involving consumer, antitrust, tax, intellectual property, and other issues on a global basis. The Company accrues a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and that it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. The Company reviews these accruals at least quarterly and adjusts them to reflect ongoing negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other relevant information. To the extent new information is obtained and the Company’s views on the probable outcomes of claims, suits, assessments, investigations, or legal proceedings change, changes in the Company’s accrued liabilities would be recorded in the period in which such a determination is made. For some matters, the amount of liability is not probable or the amount cannot be reasonably estimated and therefore accruals have not been made.

INTERIM UPDATE TO SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

References in these Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements to the “Company” or “Dell Technologies” mean Dell Technologies Inc. individually and together with its consolidated subsidiaries.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2020. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary to fairly state the financial position of Dell Technologies Inc. as of July 31, 2020 and January 31, 2020, the results of its operations and corresponding comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019, and its cash flows for the six months ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes. Management has considered the potential economic implications of the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic on the Company’s critical and significant accounting estimates. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The results of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019 and the cash flows for the six months ended July 31, 2020 and August 2, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year or for any other fiscal period.

Fiscal Period

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending on the Friday nearest January 31. The fiscal year ended January 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020”) was a 52-week period, and the fiscal year ending January 29, 2021 (“Fiscal 2021”) will be a 52-week period.

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation — These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Dell Technologies and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as the accounts of VMware, Inc. and SecureWorks Corp. (“Secureworks”), each of which is majority-owned by Dell Technologies. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity — In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to simplify the accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, and the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity's own equity. In addition, the guidance on calculating diluted earnings per share has been simplified and made more internally consistent. Public entities must adopt the new guidance for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact and timing of adoption of this guidance.

Simplifying Accounting for Income Taxes — In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, Income Taxes, and by clarifying and amending existing guidance in order to improve consistent application of GAAP for other areas of Topic 740. Public entities must adopt the new guidance for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact and timing of adoption of this guidance.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments — In June 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance which replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology for measurement of credit losses on financial instruments with a methodology (the “current expected credit losses model” or “CECL model”) that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Under the CECL model, the allowance for losses on financial assets, measured at amortized cost, reflects management’s estimate of credit losses over the remaining expected life of such assets.

The Company adopted the standard (the “new CECL standard”) as of February 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective method, with the cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of stockholders’ equity (deficit) as of the adoption date. The cumulative effect of adopting the new CECL standard resulted in an increase of $111 million and $27 million to the allowance for expected credit losses within financing receivables, net and accounts receivable, net, respectively, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, and a corresponding decrease of $28 million to other non-current liabilities related to deferred taxes and $110 million to stockholders’ equity (deficit) as of February 1, 2020. See Note 2, Note 4, and Note 18 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about the Company’s allowance for financing receivables losses and allowance for expected credit losses of accounts receivable.

Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software — In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance on a customer’s accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud-computing arrangement when hosted by a vendor. The guidance provides that, in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract, certain implementation costs should be capitalized and amortized over the term of the arrangement. The Company adopted the standard (the “new cloud computing standard”) during the three months ended May 1, 2020 using the prospective method. The impact of the adoption of this standard was immaterial to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for Expected Credit Losses and Allowance for Financing Receivables Losses

Allowance for Expected Credit Losses — The Company recognizes an allowance for losses on accounts receivable in an amount equal to the current expected credit losses. The estimation of the allowance is based on an analysis of historical loss experience, current receivables aging, and management’s assessment of current conditions and reasonable and supportable expectation of future conditions, as well as an assessment of specific identifiable customer accounts considered at risk or uncollectible. The Company assesses collectibility by pooling receivables where similar characteristics exist and evaluates receivables individually when specific customer balances no longer share those risk characteristics and are considered at risk or uncollectible. The expense associated with the allowance for expected credit losses is recognized in selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Allowance for Financing Receivables Losses — The Company recognizes an allowance for losses on financing receivables in an amount equal to the probable losses net of recoveries. The allowance for losses is determined based on various factors, including lifetime expected losses determined using macroeconomic forecast assumptions and management judgments applicable to and through the expected life of the portfolios as well as past due receivables, receivable type, and customer risk profile. Both fixed and revolving receivable loss rates are affected by macroeconomic conditions, including the level of gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth, the level of commercial capital equipment investment, unemployment rates, and the credit quality of the borrower.

Customer account principal and interest are charged to the allowance for losses when an account is deemed to be uncollectible or generally when the account is 180 days delinquent. While the Company does not generally place financing receivables on non-accrual status during the delinquency period, accrued interest is included in the allowance for loss calculation and, therefore, the Company is adequately reserved in the event of charge off. Recoveries on receivables previously charged off as uncollectible are recorded to the allowance for financing receivables losses. The expense associated with the allowance for financing receivables losses is recognized as cost of net revenue.

Capitalized Software Development Costs

Capitalized Software Development Costs — The Company capitalizes certain internal and external costs to acquire or create internal use software which are incurred subsequent to the completion of the preliminary project stage. Development costs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over five years. Costs associated with maintenance and minor enhancements to the features and functionality of the Company’s website are expensed as incurred.

Money Market Funds

Money Market Funds — The Company’s investments in money market funds that are classified as cash equivalents hold underlying investments with a weighted average maturity of 90 days or less and are recognized at fair value. The valuations of these securities are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets, when available, or pricing models whereby all significant inputs are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data. The Company reviews security pricing and assesses liquidity on a quarterly basis. As of July 31, 2020, the Company’s U.S. portfolio had no material exposure to money market funds with a fluctuating net asset value.

Equity and Other Securities

Equity and Other Securities — The majority of the Company’s investments in equity and other securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of strategic investments in publicly-traded companies. The valuation of these securities is based on quoted prices in active markets.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments — The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist primarily of foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts and interest rate swaps. The fair value of the portfolio is determined using valuation models based on market observable inputs, including interest rate curves, forward and spot prices for currencies, and implied volatilities. Credit risk is also factored into the fair value calculation of the Company’s derivative instrument portfolio. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Company’s derivative financial instrument activities.

As part of its risk management strategy, the Company uses derivative instruments, primarily foreign currency forward and option contracts and interest rate swaps, to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures, respectively.

The Company’s objective is to offset gains and losses resulting from these exposures with gains and losses on the derivative contracts used to hedge the exposures, thereby reducing volatility of earnings and protecting the fair values of assets and liabilities. The earnings effects of the derivative instruments are presented in the same income statement line items as the earnings effects of the hedged items. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the Company assesses hedge effectiveness both at the onset of the hedge and at regular intervals throughout the life of the derivative. The Company does not have any derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

Deferred Compensation Plans

Deferred Compensation Plans — The Company offers deferred compensation plans for eligible employees, which allow participants to defer payment for a portion of their compensation. Assets were the same as liabilities associated with the plans at approximately $264 million and $241 million as of July 31, 2020 and January 31, 2020, respectively, and are included in other assets and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. The net impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) is not material since changes in the fair value of the assets substantially offset changes in the fair value of the liabilities. As such, assets and liabilities associated with these plans have not been included in the recurring fair value table above.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis — Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and therefore are not included in the recurring fair value table above. These assets consist primarily of non-financial assets such as goodwill and intangible assets. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about goodwill and intangible assets.

As of July 31, 2020 and January 31, 2020, the Company held private strategic investments of $983 million and $852 million, respectively. As these investments represent early-stage companies without readily determinable fair values, they are not included in the recurring fair value table above.

The Company has elected to apply the measurement alternative for these investments. Under the alternative, the Company measures investments without readily determinable fair values at cost, less impairment, adjusted by observable price changes. The Company must make a separate election to use the alternative for each eligible investment and is required to reassess at each reporting period whether an investment qualifies for the alternative. In evaluating these investments for impairment or observable price changes, the Company uses inputs including pre- and post-money valuations of recent financing events and the impact of those events on its fully diluted ownership percentages, as well as other available information regarding the issuer’s historical and forecasted performance.

Legal Matters

The Company is involved in various claims, suits, assessments, investigations, and legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business, including those identified below, consisting of matters involving consumer, antitrust, tax, intellectual property, and other issues on a global basis.

The Company accrues a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and that it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. The Company reviews these accruals at least quarterly and adjusts them to reflect ongoing negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other relevant information. To the extent new information is obtained and the Company’s views on the probable outcomes of claims, suits, assessments, investigations, or legal proceedings change, changes in the Company’s accrued liabilities would be recorded in the period in which such a determination is made. For some matters, the amount of liability is not probable or the amount cannot be reasonably estimated and therefore accruals have not been made.