Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value (Detail)

v2.4.0.6
Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Mar. 31, 2012
NVIDIA cross-license agreement [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
NVIDIA cross-license agreement [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Apr. 02, 2011
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Other Long-Term Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Long-Term Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Other Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Other Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Government Bonds [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Government Bonds [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Government Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Government Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Government Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Government Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Commercial Paper [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Commercial Paper [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Bank Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Bank Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Bank Deposits [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Bank Deposits [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Bank Deposits [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Bank Deposits [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Bank Deposits [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Bank Deposits [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Money Market Fund Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Money Market Fund Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Money Market Fund Deposits [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Money Market Fund Deposits [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 1 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 1 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 1 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 1 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 1 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 1 [Member]
Money Market Fund Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Money Market Fund Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 1 [Member]
Money Market Fund Deposits [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Money Market Fund Deposits [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 1 [Member]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 1 [Member]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
NVIDIA cross-license agreement [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
NVIDIA cross-license agreement [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Other Long-Term Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Other Long-Term Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Other Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Other Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Government Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Commercial Paper [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Commercial Paper [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Commercial Paper [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Commercial Paper [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Bank Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Bank Deposits [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Bank Deposits [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Bank Deposits [Member]
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Bank Deposits [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Bank Deposits [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Bank Deposits [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Bank Deposits [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 2 [Member]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 2 [Member]
Marketable Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Apr. 02, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Other Long-Term Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Other Long-Term Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Other Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Other Current Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Mar. 31, 2012
Level 3 [Member]
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Dec. 31, 2011
Level 3 [Member]
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure                                     $ 100 $ 650 $ 161 $ 477 $ 3,248 $ 3,000     $ 267 $ 321 $ 488 $ 576         $ 2,203 $ 2,408 $ 958 $ 1,409     $ 880 $ 795 $ 55 $ 55 $ 318 $ 196     $ 15 $ 36     $ 471 $ 546 $ 819 $ 562         $ 650 $ 177 $ 2,850 $ 2,690     $ 78 $ 120     $ 471 $ 546 $ 694 $ 522                                 $ 100 $ 161 $ 300 $ 398 $ 310     $ 237 $ 282 $ 375 $ 428         $ 2,203 $ 2,408 $ 958 $ 1,409     $ 880 $ 795 $ 55 $ 55 $ 318 $ 196 $ 125 $ 40                         $ 30 $ 39 $ 35 $ 28     $ 15 $ 36
Trading Securities, Fair Value Disclosure                                 3,067 3,015             599 688         260 284 124 305         140 135             101 115     21 49             1,729 1,698         216 202     21 49                                     1,338 1,317           383 486         260 284 124 305         140 135                                                 101 115    
Derivative Assets                         52 63 113 166                                                                                                                                         24 34 108 159                                                                               28 29 5 7                
Loans Receivable, Fair Value Disclosure 780 748                     747 715 33 33                                                                                                                                         747 715 33 33                                                                                                      
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring 15,240 16,599                                                                                                             6,059 6,654                                 8,967 9,691                                                                                       214 254                                    
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure                 40 27 284 288                                                                                                                                         40 27 275 280                                                                                   9 8                        
Loans Payable, Fair Value Disclosure             128 131                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       128 131                            
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure             452 446                                                                                                                                             315 307                                                                                       137 139                            
Non-Marketable Equity Investments                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   11 19                                
Fair Value, Non-Marketable Equity Investments, Gains (Losses)         (59) (14)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Loss Contingency, Cross License Liability     861 1,156                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure     881 1,174                                                                                                                                                 881 1,174                                                                                                                          
Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value On a Recurring Basis [Line Items]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Non-Marketable Cost Method Investments 1,116 1,129                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Non-Marketable Cost Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure 1,697 1,861                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           1,697 1,861                                    
Loans receivable, Carrying Amount   132                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Loans receivable, Fair Value   132                                                                                                                                                   132                                                                                                                              
Long-term debt, Carrying Amount 6,960 6,953                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Long-term debt, Fair Value 7,843 7,735                                                                                                             5,190 5,287                                 2,653 2,448                                                                                                                              
Short-term debt, Carrying Amount 273 200                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Short-term debt, Fair Value $ 273 $ 200                                                                                                                                                 $ 273 $ 200