Restructuring and Acquisition-Related Charges - Activity For Restructuring Program (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	$ 111	$ 114
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2015 Programs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	113
Restructuring Utilization	(11)
Ending Balance	102
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2015 Programs [Member] | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	107
Restructuring Utilization	(11)
Ending Balance	96
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2015 Programs [Member] | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	6
Restructuring Utilization	0
Ending Balance	6
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	121	90
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	(2)	(5)
Restructuring Utilization	(44)	(28)
Ending Balance	75	57
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	102	66
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	(2)	(8)
Restructuring Utilization	(39)	(21)
Ending Balance	61	37
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring Other Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	19	24
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	0	3
Restructuring Utilization	(5)	(7)
Ending Balance	14	20
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision		119
Restructuring Utilization		(16)
Ending Balance		103
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision		117
Restructuring Utilization		(15)
Ending Balance		102
EMC Information Infrastructure | Restructuring 2014 Programs | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance		0
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision		2
Restructuring Utilization		(1)
Ending Balance		1
VMware
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	22
VMware | Restructuring 2015 Programs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	8
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	22
Restructuring Utilization	(14)
Ending Balance	16
VMware | Restructuring 2015 Programs [Member] | Workforce reductions
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	8
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	22
Restructuring Utilization	(14)
Ending Balance	16
VMware | Restructuring 2015 Programs [Member] | Consolidation of excess facilities and other contractual obligations
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0
Charges/ Adjustments to the Provision	0
Restructuring Utilization	0
Ending Balance	$ 0