Investments (Notes)

3 Months Ended

May 04, 2012

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

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

NOTE 4 — 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

	May 4, 2012									February 3, 2012
	Fair Value		Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized (Loss)			Fair Value		Cost		Unrealized Gain		Unrealized (Loss)
	(in millions)
Investments:
Non- U.S. government and agencies	$	30	$	30	$	—	$	—		$	24	$	24	$	—	$	—
Commercial paper	314		314		—		—			434		434		—		—
U.S. corporate	394		393		1		—			336		335		1		—
International corporate	163		163		—		—			172		172		—		—
Total short-term investments	901		900		1		—			966		965		1		—
Non- U.S. government and agencies	123		123		—		—			70		70		—		—
U.S. corporate	2,409		2,395		15		(1		)	2,332		2,322		12		(2		)
International corporate	843		838		5		—			883		880		4		(1		)
Equity and other securities	126		126		—		—			119		119		—		—
Total long-term investments	3,501		3,482		20		(1		)	3,404		3,391		16		(3		)
Total investments	$	4,402	$	4,382	$	21	$	(1	)	$	4,370	$	4,356	$	17	$	(3	)

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.  The remaining equity and other securities are initially recorded at cost and reduced for any impairment losses. 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.