Stockholders' Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (8,786)	$ (10,780)
Unrealized losses on temporarily impaired investments, net of tax benefits of $(2,392) and $(8,492)	(4,775)	(15,044)
Unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes of $39,017 and $18,343	68,260	30,608
Unrealized losses on derivatives, net of tax benefits of $(67,248) and $(62,211)	(108,645)	(100,446)
Recognition of actuarial net loss from pension and other postretirement plans, net of tax benefits of $(87,288) and $(81,798)	(153,172)	(139,108)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest, Total	(207,118)	(234,770)
Less: accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(1,155)	(239)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(208,273)	(235,009)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
Unrealized losses on temporarily impaired investments, tax benefits	(2,392)	(8,492)
Unrealized gains on investments, taxes	39,017	18,343
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, taxes (benefits)	(67,248)	(62,211)
Recognition of actuarial net loss from pension and other postretirement plans, tax benefits	$ (87,288)	$ (81,798)