SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, Revenue and Loss From Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 business_unit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business units					4
Revenue:	$ 79,464	$ 66,403	$ 157,409	$ 131,650
Loss from operations:	(2,951)	(15,393)	(15,157)	(18,745)
Affymetrix Core [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue:	60,618	65,027	119,555	130,274
Loss from operations:	1,251	(15,552)	(6,590)	(18,904)
eBioscience [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue:	18,846	1,376	37,854	1,376
Loss from operations:	$ (4,202)	$ 159	$ (8,567)	$ 159