CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 519	$ 622	$ 811	$ 1,054
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes (benefits):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	18	9	(86)	4
Changes in market value of investments:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $0, $35, $12 and $49	1	59	20	83
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) realized in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $(7), $(3), $(13) and $(6)	(13)	(6)	(21)	(11)
Net change in market value of investments	(12)	53	(1)	72
Changes in market value of derivatives:
Changes in unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes (benefits) of $(2), $1, $1 and $0	(5)	2	9	1
Reclassification adjustment for net losses (gains) included in net income, net of benefits (taxes) of $2, $0, $2 and $0	0	(1)	(11)	(3)
Net change in the market value of derivatives	(5)	1	(2)	(2)
Change in actuarial net gain (loss) from pension and other postretirement plans:
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1	63	(89)	74
Comprehensive income	520	685	722	1,128
Less: Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(32)	(33)	(72)	(74)
Less: Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the non-controlling interest in VMware, Inc.	(2)	0	(3)	(1)
Comprehensive income attributable to EMC Corporation	$ 486	$ 652	$ 647	$ 1,053