Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 2,092	$ 1,777
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization, and other	612	621
Share-based compensation expense	306	341
Provision for doubtful accounts	29	(13)
Deferred income taxes	135	109
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(15)	(21)
Net losses (gains) on investments	15	(13)
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable	615	399
Inventories	42	(168)
Financing receivables	(132)	(9)
Other assets	99	(374)
Accounts payable	(19)	36
Income taxes, net	(372)	(38)
Accrued compensation	(359)	(548)
Deferred revenue	(295)	232
Other liabilities	(288)	2
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,465	2,333
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(8,213)	(11,770)
Proceeds from sales of investments	2,447	7,721
Proceeds from maturities of investments	4,388	1,179
Acquisition of property and equipment	(265)	(265)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	(4,912)	(38)
Purchases of investments in privately held companies	(9)	(153)
Return of Investments In Privately Held Companies	12	58
Other	22	77
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,530)	(3,191)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of common stock	117	203
Repurchases of stock- repurchase program	(183)	(1,744)
Stock Repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock units, value	(203)	(137)
Short-term borrowings, maturities less than 90 days, net	23	0
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities	15	21
Dividends paid	(744)	(322)
Other	14	(78)
Net cash used in financing activities	(961)	(2,057)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(5,026)	(2,915)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	9,799	7,662
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	4,773	4,747
Cash paid for:
Interest	221	220
Income taxes	$ 776	$ 398