Investments (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Feb. 03, 2012

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure

NOTE 3 — INVESTMENTS

The following table summarizes, by major security type, the fair value and amortized cost of Dell's investments. All debt security investments with remaining maturities in excess of one year and substantially all equity and other securities are recorded as long-term investments in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

	February 3, 2012									January 28, 2011
	Fair Value		Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized (Loss)			Fair Value		Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized (Loss)
	(in millions)
Investments:
U.S. government and agencies	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	58	$	58	$	—	$	—
Non- U.S. government and agencies	24		24		—		—			12		12		—		—
Commercial paper	434		434		—		—			—		—		—		—
U.S. corporate	336		335		1		—			254		253		1		—
International corporate	172		172		—		—			128		128		—		—
Total short-term investments	966		965		1		—			452		451		1		—
U.S. government and agencies	—		—		—		—			21		20		1		—
Non- U.S. government and agencies	70		70		—		—			34		34		—		—
U.S. corporate	2,332		2,322		12		(2		)	242		243		—		(1		)
International corporate	883		880		4		(1		)	283		283		—		—
Equity and other securities	119		119		—		—			124		124		—		—
Total long-term investments	3,404		3,391		16		(3		)	704		704		1		(1		)
Total investments	$	4,370	$	4,356	$	17	$	(3	)	$	1,156	$	1,155	$	2	$	(1	)

Dell's investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale. Equity and other securities primarily relate to investments held in Dell's Deferred Compensation Plan, which are classified as trading securities.  Equity and other securities also include equity investments that began trading during Fiscal 2012 which are classified as available-for-sale securities. The remaining equity and other securities are initially recorded at cost and reduced for any impairment losses. During Fiscal 2012, Dell recognized a $39 million impairment charge associated with one of its investments, which is included in Interest and other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Security classes reported at fair value use the specific identification method. The fair value of Dell's portfolio can be affected by interest rate movements, credit, and liquidity risks. Dell's investments in debt securities have contractual maturities of three years or less.

During Fiscal 2012, Fiscal 2011, and Fiscal 2010, gross realized gains recognized in Interest and other, net were $49 million, $7 million, and $6 million, respectively. Dell recognized gross realized losses of $41 million, $1 million, and $4 million, respectively, during the same periods.