Segment and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jul. 02, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Sales:
Sales	$ 5,150,563		$ 5,539,931		$ 10,040,092	$ 10,762,934
Operating income (loss):
Operating income	188,689		248,330		376,138	467,498
Restructuring, integration, and other charges	13,347		5,221		21,590	14,828
Settlement of legal matter	0		0		0	5,875
Assets	10,034,902				10,034,902		9,829,079
Global Components [Member]
Sales:
Sales	3,453,687		3,875,331		6,803,241	7,761,931
Operating income (loss):
Operating income	170,524		224,035		341,232	452,916
Assets	6,335,830				6,335,830		5,974,174
Global ECS [Member]
Sales:
Sales	1,696,876		1,664,600		3,236,851	3,001,003
Operating income (loss):
Operating income	65,961		63,690		121,448	102,770
Assets	3,031,486				3,031,486		3,206,788
Corporate [Member]
Operating income (loss):
Operating income	(47,796)	[1]	(39,395)	[1]	(86,542)	(88,188)
Assets	$ 667,586				$ 667,586		$ 648,117

[1] (a)Includes restructuring, integration, and other charges of $13,347 and $21,590 for the second quarter and first six months of 2012 and $5,221 and $14,828 for the second quarter and first six months of 2011, respectively. Also included in the first six months of 2011 is a charge of $5,875 related to the settlement of a legal matter.