Equity Activity: (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, before tax	$ 387		$ 477
Net changes related to available-for-sale securities, before tax
Unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period, before tax	6		(7)
Reclassification of (gains)/losses to net income, before tax	(14)		(203)
Subsequent changes in previously impaired securities arising during the period, before tax	18		11
Total net changes related to available-for-sale securities	10		(199)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges, before tax
Unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period, before tax	51		(237)
Reclassification of (gains)/losses to net income, before tax	(24)		101
Total unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges	27		(136)
Retirement-related benefit plans, before tax
Prior service costs/(credits), before tax	0		(1)
Net (losses)/gains arising during the period, before tax	(6)		20
Curtailments and settlements, before tax	0		9
Amortization of prior service (credits)/cost, before tax	(37)		(39)
Amortization of net (gains)/losses, before tax	619		473
Total retirement-related benefit plans	576		464	[1]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax	1,000		606
Other comprehensive income, tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	11		58
Net changes related to available-for-sale securities, tax
Unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period, tax	(2)		2
Reclassification of (gains)/losses to net income, tax	5		78
Subsequent changes in previously impaired securities arising during the period, tax	(7)		(4)
Total net changes related to available-for-sale securities, tax	(4)		76
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges, tax
Unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period, tax	(30)		77
Reclassification of (gains)/losses to net income, tax	7		(35)
Total unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges, tax	(23)		42
Retirement-related benefit plans, tax
Prior service costs/(credits), tax	0		0
Net (losses)/gains arising during the period, tax	2		(7)
Curtailments and settlements, tax	0		(3)
Amortization of prior service (credits)/cost, tax	14		13
Amortization of net (gains)/losses, tax	(229)		(160)
Total retirement-related benefit plans, tax	(213)		(156)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), tax	(229)		20
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	398		535
Net changes related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period, net of tax	4		(5)
Reclassification of (gains)/losses to net income, net of tax	(8)		(124)
Subsequent changes in previously impaired securities arising during the period, net of tax	11		7
Total net changes related to available-for-sale securities, net of tax	6		(123)
Unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax
Unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period, net of tax	21		(160)
Reclassification of (gains)/losses to net income, net of tax	(17)		66
Total unrealized gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax	4		(95)
Retirement-related benefit plans, net of tax
Prior service costs/(credits), net of tax	0		0
Net (losses)/gains arising during the period, net of tax	(4)		14
Curtailments and settlements, net of tax	0		6
Amortization of prior service (credits)/cost, net of tax	(24)		(26)
Amortization of net (gains)/losses, net of tax	390		314
Total retirement-related benefit plans, net of tax	363		307
Other comprehensive income/(loss)	$ 770	[1]	$ 624	[1]

[1] Amounts may not add due to rounding.