SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, Revenue and Loss From Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 segment	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 business_unit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business units					4
Number of reportable segments			1
Loss from operations:	$ (1,283)	$ (11,114)	$ (16,442)	$ (29,859)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue:	80,354	79,624	237,764	211,273
Loss from operations:	(1,283)	(11,114)	(16,442)	(29,859)
Operating Segments [Member] | Affymetrix Core [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue:	60,474	62,046	180,029	192,320
Loss from operations:	1,107	(5,462)	(5,488)	(18,893)
Operating Segments [Member] | eBioscience [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue:	19,880	17,578	57,735	18,953
Loss from operations:	$ (2,390)	$ (5,652)	$ (10,954)	$ (10,966)