Geographic Information Net property, plant and equipment by geographic area (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 01, 2011	Sep. 02, 2010	Sep. 03, 2009
Entity Wide Disclosure On Geographic Areas Long Lived Assets In Individual Countries [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 7,555	$ 6,601	$ 7,089
SINGAPORE
Entity Wide Disclosure On Geographic Areas Long Lived Assets In Individual Countries [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,569	2,161	2,066
UNITED STATES
Entity Wide Disclosure On Geographic Areas Long Lived Assets In Individual Countries [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,487	3,925	4,679
ITALY
Entity Wide Disclosure On Geographic Areas Long Lived Assets In Individual Countries [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	190	173	180
CHINA
Entity Wide Disclosure On Geographic Areas Long Lived Assets In Individual Countries [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	179	90	48
ISRAEL
Entity Wide Disclosure On Geographic Areas Long Lived Assets In Individual Countries [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	94	111	0
JAPAN
Entity Wide Disclosure On Geographic Areas Long Lived Assets In Individual Countries [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	1	81	112
Other [Member]
Entity Wide Disclosure On Geographic Areas Long Lived Assets In Individual Countries [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 35	$ 60	$ 4