Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Equity Method and Cost Method Investments (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Equity Method and Cost Method Investments (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 25, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 25, 2010
Dec. 26, 2009
Jun. 26, 2010
Dec. 31, 2011
Cost-method Investments [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
Cost-method Investments [Member]
Dec. 26, 2009
Cost-method Investments [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
IM Flash Technologies, LLC and IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
IM Flash Technologies, LLC and IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 26, 2009
IM Flash Technologies, LLC and IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
IM Flash Technologies, LLC [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
IM Flash Technologies, LLC [Member]
Oct. 01, 2011
IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Clearwire Communications, LLC [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
Clearwire Communications, LLC [Member]
Dec. 26, 2009
Clearwire Communications, LLC [Member]
Apr. 02, 2011
Intel-GE Care Innovations, LLC [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Intel-GE Care Innovations, LLC [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Intel-GE Care Innovations, LLC [Member]
Future Funding Required Upon Equity Investee Meeting Established Milestones [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
SMART Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
SMART Technologies, Inc. [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
IM Flash Technologies, LLC and IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
IM Flash Technologies, LLC and IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 26, 2009
IM Flash Technologies, LLC and IM Flash Singapore, LLP [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
Numonyx B.V. [Member]
Jun. 26, 2010
Numonyx B.V. [Member]
Dec. 25, 2010
Numonyx B.V. [Member]
Dec. 26, 2009
Numonyx B.V. [Member]
Equity Method Investments Textual Details [Abstract]                                                                  
Ownership Percentage                       49.00% 49.00%   18.00% 22.00% 7.00% 7.00%     50.00%   14.00% 14.00%                  
Investments in non-marketable equity investments   $ 693 $ 393 $ 250                   $ 131                                      
Carrying Value   1,669 1,791                 863 1,126   466 335   145     167   31 37 136 154 1,300 1,500          
Return of equity method investments   263 199 449                                             263 199 449        
Percentage of purchase commitment of production output and production-related services                       49.00%     22.00%                                    
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments   (204) (113) (131)                         (145) (116) (27)                         42 (31)
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Previously Unissued Stock by Subsidiary or Equity Investee, Nonoperating Income                                     37                            
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal   164 0 0                               164                          
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum                                           38                      
Amount of SMART shares sold in secondary offering 10                                                                
Amount of SMART shares owned         27.5                                                        
Recognized Gain (Loss) as a Result of Initial Public Offering and Subsequent Sale In Secondary Offering                                             181                    
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal                                                             91    
Amount of Micron Common Stock Shares Received Upon Closing of Sale of Equity Method Investment                                                             57.9    
Amount of Micron Common Stock Shares Held in Escrow Upon Closing of Sale of Equity Method Investment                                                             8.6    
Short Term Note Payable Issued Upon Sale Of Equity Method Investment                                                             72    
Amount of Micron Common Stock Shares Sold That Was Received in the Sale of Equity Method Investment                                                           21.5      
Amount of Micron Common Stock Escrow Shares Sold That Was Received Upon Closing of Sale of Equity Method Investment                                                           8.6      
Amount of Micron Common Stock Shares Sold That Was Received Upon Closing of Sale of Equity Method Investment                                                           12.9      
Related Party Transactions [Line Items]                                                                  
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction                 985 795 755                                            
Due to Related Parties                 125 105                                              
Cost Method Investments Textual Details [Abstract]                                                                  
Cost-method Investments, Aggregate Carrying Amount   1,129 872                                                            
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments           $ 56 $ 109 $ 179