Non-Operating Income (Expense) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 02, 2011	Dec. 03, 2010	Nov. 27, 2009
Interest and other income (expense), net:
Interest income	$ 24,506	$ 21,923	$ 34,978
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	(30,226)	(12,948)	(13,420)
Realized gains on fixed income investment	2,012	2,953	8,753
Realized losses on fixed income investment	(178)	0	(1)
Other	912	1,211	1,070
Interest and other income (expense), net	(2,974)	13,139	31,380
Interest expense	(66,952)	(56,952)	(3,407)
Investment gains (losses), net:
Realized investment gains	7,159	9,819	52
Unrealized investment gains	0	1,008	10,826
Realized investment losses	(850)	(9,619)	(9,019)
Unrealized investment losses	(452)	(7,318)	(18,825)
Investment gains (losses), net	5,857	(6,110)	(16,966)
Total non-operating income (expense), net	$ (64,069)	$ (49,923)	$ 11,007