Sandisk 10-K 10 Feb 15 2014 Q4 Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SANDISK CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1000180
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-16
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	28-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q4
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	213,013,780
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$20,109,794,996

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$809,003,000	$986,246,000
Short-term marketable securities	1,455,509,000	1,919,611,000
Accounts receivable, net	842,476,000	682,809,000
Inventory	698,011,000	756,975,000
Deferred taxes	180,134,000	138,192,000
Other current assets	214,992,000	166,885,000
Total current assets	4,200,125,000	4,650,718,000
Long-term marketable securities	2,758,475,000	3,179,471,000
Property and equipment, net	724,357,000	655,794,000
Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	962,817,000	1,134,620,000
Deferred taxes	161,827,000	134,669,000
Goodwill	831,328,000	318,111,000
Intangible assets, net	542,351,000	247,904,000
Other non-current assets	108,677,000	167,430,000
Total assets	10,289,957,000	10,488,717,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable trade	404,237,000	282,582,000
Accounts payable to related parties	136,051,000	146,964,000
Convertible short-term debt	869,645,000	0
Other current accrued liabilities	506,293,000	509,732,000
Deferred income on shipments to distributors and retailers and deferred revenue	274,657,000	291,302,000
Total current liabilities	2,190,883,000	1,230,580,000
Convertible long-term debt	1,199,696,000	1,985,363,000
Non-current liabilities	245,554,000	307,083,000
Total liabilities	3,636,133,000	3,523,026,000
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 14)
Convertible short-term debt conversion obligation	127,143,000	0
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, Authorized shares: 4,000,000, Issued and outstanding: none	0	0
Common stock, $0.001 par value, Authorized shares: 800,000,000, Issued and outstanding: 215,743,090 in 2014 and 225,290,940 in 2013	216,000	225,000
Capital in excess of par value	5,236,766,000	5,040,017,000
Retained earnings	1,499,149,000	2,004,089,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-208,072,000	-76,459,000
Total stockholders’ equity	6,528,059,000	6,967,872,000
Non-controlling interests	-1,378,000	-2,181,000
Total equity	6,526,681,000	6,965,691,000
Total liabilities, convertible short-term debt conversion obligation and equity	$10,289,957,000	$10,488,717,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parentheticals (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock
Common Stock, Par Value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	215,743,090	225,290,940
Common stock, shares outstanding	215,743,090	225,290,940
Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	4,000,000	4,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Revenue	$6,627,701,000	$6,170,003,000	$5,052,509,000
Cost of revenue	3,458,954,000	3,252,988,000	3,326,747,000
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	100,899,000	49,532,000	42,542,000
Total cost of revenue	3,559,853,000	3,302,520,000	3,369,289,000
Gross profit	3,067,848,000	2,867,483,000	1,683,220,000
Operating expenses:
Research and development	852,310,000	742,268,000	602,765,000
Sales and marketing	383,288,000	276,312,000	224,054,000
General and administrative	214,902,000	192,310,000	150,401,000
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	26,423,000	11,155,000	9,045,000
Impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets	0	83,228,000	860,000
Restructuring and other	32,991,000	0	0
Total operating expenses	1,509,914,000	1,305,273,000	987,125,000
Operating income	1,557,934,000	1,562,210,000	696,095,000
Interest income	51,811,000	48,785,000	58,991,000
Gain (loss) on investments	4,763,000	3,219,000	-7,762,000
Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net	-125,478,000	-98,065,000	-120,408,000
Total other income (expense), net	-68,904,000	-46,061,000	-69,179,000
Income before income taxes	1,489,030,000	1,516,149,000	626,916,000
Provision for income taxes	481,584,000	473,492,000	209,512,000
Net income	$1,007,446,000	$1,042,657,000	$417,404,000
Net income per share:
Basic	$4.52	$4.44	$1.72
Diluted	$4.23	$4.34	$1.70
Shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic	222,714	234,886	242,076
Diluted	238,209	240,236	245,253
Cash dividends declared per share	$1.05	$0.45	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Net income	$1,007,446	$1,042,657	$417,404
Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
Unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities	-3,511	-6,448	11,160
Reclassification adjustment for realized gain on marketable securities included in net income	-7,543	-2,375	-2,969
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on marketable securities	-11,054	-8,823	8,191
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-153,975	-240,835	-169,190
Unrealized holding loss on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges	-99	-74,834	-38,197
Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges included in net income	25,418	41,523	10,946
Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges	25,319	-33,311	-27,251
Total other comprehensive loss, before tax	-139,710	-282,969	-188,250
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss	-8,097	-41,389	-20,670
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-131,613	-241,580	-167,580
Comprehensive income	$875,833	$801,077	$249,824

Consolidated_Statement_of_Equi

Consolidated Statement of Equity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
Statement of Equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$6,526,681,000	$6,965,691,000	$7,259,600,000	$7,060,839,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,007,446,000	1,042,657,000	417,404,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-131,613,000	-241,580,000	-167,580,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	803,000	2,207,000	-782,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders		-87,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	145,669,000	241,324,000	63,316,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	35,817,000	24,721,000	22,986,000
Net cash received for share repurchase contracts	0	0	2,675,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	157,328,000	100,641,000	79,132,000
Tax Effect From Share Based Plans	45,120,000	583,000	11,691,000
Dividends And Dividend Equivalents Declared On Common Stock And Restricted Stock Units	-238,170,000	-102,896,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	-1,341,476,000	-1,589,540,000	-230,081,000
Debt Instrument Convertible Carrying Amount Of Equity Component And Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Debt Issuance Costs	193,000	349,250,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Convertible Bond Hedge Purchased (Sold), net		-338,989,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued		217,800,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Convertible Debt Issued (Redeemed)	-25,000
Fair Value Stock Options Restricted Stock Based Awards Assumed In Connection With Acquisitions	7,041,000
Reclassifications of Temporary to Permanent Equity	-127,143,000
Common Stock [Member]
Statement of Equity
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	215,743,000	225,291,000	241,432,000	242,552,000
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	216,000	225,000	241,000	243,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	4,706,000	7,934,000	3,846,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	5,000	8,000	4,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	639,000	624,000	685,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	1,000	1,000	0
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares	-14,893,000	-24,699,000	-5,651,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	-15,000	-25,000	-6,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	27,000
Stockholders' Equity, Other Shares	-27,000
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Statement of Equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	5,236,766,000	5,040,017,000	5,027,271,000	4,934,565,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	145,664,000	241,316,000	63,312,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	35,816,000	24,720,000	22,986,000
Net cash received for share repurchase contracts			2,675,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	157,328,000	100,641,000	79,132,000
Tax Effect From Share Based Plans	45,120,000	583,000	11,691,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	-67,245,000	-582,575,000	-87,090,000
Debt Instrument Convertible Carrying Amount Of Equity Component And Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Debt Issuance Costs	193,000	349,250,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Convertible Bond Hedge Purchased (Sold), net		-338,989,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued		217,800,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Convertible Debt Issued (Redeemed)	-25,000
Fair Value Stock Options Restricted Stock Based Awards Assumed In Connection With Acquisitions	7,041,000
Reclassifications of Temporary to Permanent Equity	-127,143,000
Retained Earnings [Member]
Statement of Equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,499,149,000	2,004,089,000	2,071,268,000	1,796,849,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,007,446,000	1,042,657,000	417,404,000
Dividends And Dividend Equivalents Declared On Common Stock And Restricted Stock Units	-238,170,000	-102,896,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	-1,274,216,000	-1,006,940,000	-142,985,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Statement of Equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-208,072,000	-76,459,000	165,121,000	332,701,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-131,613,000	-241,580,000	-167,580,000
Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]
Statement of Equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	6,528,059,000	6,967,872,000	7,263,901,000	7,064,358,000
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,007,446,000	1,042,657,000	417,404,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-131,613,000	-241,580,000	-167,580,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	145,669,000	241,324,000	63,316,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	35,817,000	24,721,000	22,986,000
Net cash received for share repurchase contracts			2,675,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	157,328,000	100,641,000	79,132,000
Tax Effect From Share Based Plans	45,120,000	583,000	11,691,000
Dividends And Dividend Equivalents Declared On Common Stock And Restricted Stock Units	-238,170,000	-102,896,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	-1,341,476,000	-1,589,540,000	-230,081,000
Debt Instrument Convertible Carrying Amount Of Equity Component And Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Debt Issuance Costs	193,000	349,250,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Convertible Bond Hedge Purchased (Sold), net		-338,989,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued		217,800,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Convertible Debt Issued (Redeemed)	-25,000
Fair Value Stock Options Restricted Stock Based Awards Assumed In Connection With Acquisitions	7,041,000
Reclassifications of Temporary to Permanent Equity	-127,143,000
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Statement of Equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-1,378,000	-2,181,000	-4,301,000	-3,519,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	803,000	2,207,000	-782,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders		($87,000)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$1,007,446,000	$1,042,657,000	$417,404,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred taxes	-7,915,000	527,000	34,368,000
Depreciation	254,271,000	226,334,000	161,949,000
Amortization	324,231,000	237,731,000	254,352,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	857,000	2,167,000	1,452,000
Share‑based compensation expense	155,313,000	99,756,000	78,443,000
Excess tax benefit from share-based plans	-44,919,000	-27,198,000	-16,015,000
Impairment and other	6,790,000	75,561,000	-17,350,000
Other non-operating	636,000	-792,000	9,424,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	-118,606,000	-51,125,000	-68,070,000
Inventory	136,442,000	23,310,000	-71,260,000
Other assets	37,738,000	147,713,000	-84,579,000
Accounts payable trade	37,380,000	16,377,000	-4,124,000
Accounts payable to related parties	-10,913,000	-67,842,000	-61,469,000
Other liabilities	-80,303,000	138,496,000	-104,671,000
Total adjustments	691,002,000	821,015,000	112,450,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,698,448,000	1,863,672,000	529,854,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of short and long-term marketable securities	-4,106,494,000	-4,925,520,000	-3,178,660,000
Proceeds from sales of short and long-term marketable securities	4,114,712,000	3,701,528,000	2,197,302,000
Proceeds from maturities of short and long-term marketable securities	772,882,000	751,900,000	650,060,000
Acquisition of property and equipment, net	-232,786,000	-213,415,000	-487,973,000
Investment in Flash Ventures	-24,296,000	-12,342,000	-50,439,000
Notes receivable issuances to Flash Ventures	-181,481,000	-37,099,000	-142,316,000
Notes receivable proceeds from Flash Ventures	231,409,000	124,765,000	511,289,000
Purchased technology and other assets	-24,837,000	-8,377,000	-4,000,000
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-1,063,798,000	-304,320,000	-69,629,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-514,689,000	-922,880,000	-574,366,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs	0	1,483,125,000	0
Purchase of convertible bond hedge	0	-331,650,000	0
Proceeds from sale of warrants	0	217,800,000	0
Repayment of debt financing	-3,212,000	-928,061,000	0
Distribution to non-controlling interests	0	-87,000	0
Proceeds from employee stock programs	181,486,000	266,044,000	86,302,000
Excess tax benefit from share-based plans	44,919,000	27,198,000	16,015,000
Dividends paid	-234,565,000	-101,191,000	0
Stock repurchases	-1,341,476,000	-1,589,539,000	-230,081,000
Net cash received for share repurchase contracts	0	0	2,675,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,352,848,000	-956,361,000	-125,089,000
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash	-8,154,000	6,345,000	-2,425,000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-177,243,000	-9,224,000	-172,026,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	986,246,000	995,470,000	1,167,496,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	809,003,000	986,246,000	995,470,000
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	-433,959,000	-373,183,000	-360,688,000
Cash paid for interest expense	($22,349,000)	($20,403,000)	($24,957,000)

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure	Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Organization and Nature of Operations. SanDisk Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on June 1, 1988. The Company designs, develops, markets and manufactures data storage solutions in a variety of form factors using its flash memory, controller and firmware technologies. The Company operates in one segment, flash memory storage products.
	Basis of Presentation. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of 52 weeks, while fiscal year 2015 will include 53 weeks with 14 weeks in the fourth fiscal quarter. Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified in the footnotes to conform to the current-period presentation, including line items within other current and non-current assets and liabilities, and warranties in Note 5, “Balance Sheet Information.” For accounting and disclosure purposes, the exchange rate used to convert Japanese yen to the United States (“U.S.”) dollar for fiscal years ended December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 was 120.44, 104.94 and 85.99, respectively. Throughout the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, unless otherwise indicated, references to Net income refer to Net income attributable to common stockholders.
	Principles of Consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Non-controlling interest represents the minority stockholders’ proportionate share of the net assets and results of operations of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries. The Consolidated Financial Statements also include the results of companies acquired by the Company from the date of each acquisition.
	Use of Estimates. The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to customer programs and incentives, intellectual property (“IP”) claims, product returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories and inventory valuation, valuation and impairments of marketable securities and investments, valuation and impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets, income taxes, warranty obligations, restructurings, contingencies, share­‑based compensation and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that its management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities when those values are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.
	Revenue Recognition, Sales Returns and Allowances and Sales Incentive Programs. The Company recognizes revenue when the earnings process is complete, as evidenced by an agreement with the customer, transfer of title and acceptance, if applicable, pricing is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is generally recognized at the time of shipment or transfer of title for customers not eligible for price protection and/or a right of return. Sales made to distributors and retailers are generally under agreements allowing price protection and/or a right of return and, therefore, the revenue and related costs of these transactions are deferred until the retailers or distributors sell-through the merchandise to their end customer or their rights of return expire. Estimated sales returns are recorded as a reduction to revenue and deferred revenue and were not material for any period presented in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The cost of shipping products to customers is included in cost of revenue. The Company recognizes expenses related to sales commissions in the period in which the commissions are earned.
	For multiple-element arrangements that include support or software elements, the Company analyzes whether tangible products containing software and non-software components function together and therefore should be excluded from industry-specific software revenue recognition guidance. The Company allocates revenue to each element, or the software elements as a group, based on the relative selling price determined in accordance with the Company’s normal pricing and discounting practices for the specific element when sold separately for all multiple-element arrangements. Multiple-element arrangements and arrangements that include software have not been significant to the Company’s revenue and operating results.
	Revenue from patent licensing arrangements is recognized when earned, estimable and realizable. The timing of revenue recognition is dependent on the terms of each license agreement and on the timing of sales of licensed products. The Company generally recognizes royalty revenue when it is reported to the Company by its licensees, which is generally one quarter in arrears from the licensees’ sales of licensed products. For licensing fees that are not determined by the number of licensed units sold, the Company recognizes license fee revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of the license.
	The Company records estimated reductions of revenue for customer and distributor incentive programs and offerings, including price protection, promotions, co-op advertising and other volume-based incentives and expected returns. All sales incentive programs are recorded as an offset to revenue or deferred revenue. Marketing development programs are recorded as a reduction to revenue.
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Accounts receivable include amounts owed by geographically dispersed distributors, retailers and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) customers. No collateral is required. Provisions are provided for sales returns and credit losses.
	The Company estimates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, customer credit ratings and historical experience. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company (e.g., bankruptcy filings or substantial downgrading of credit ratings), the Company provides allowances for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount it reasonably believes will be collected.
	Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, but have not been reflected in the Company’s taxable income. The Company must evaluate the expected realization of its deferred tax assets and determine whether a valuation allowance needs to be established or released. In determining the need for and amount of a valuation allowance, the Company assesses the likelihood that it will be able to recover its deferred tax assets using historical levels of income, estimates of future income and tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance is established to the extent that the Company does not believe it is “more likely than not” that it will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is “more likely than not” the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.
	Foreign Currency. The Company determines the functional currency for its parent company and each of its subsidiaries by reviewing the currencies in which their respective operating activities occur. Transaction gains and losses arising from activities in other than the applicable functional currency are calculated using average exchange rates for the applicable period and reported in net income as a non-operating item in each period. Non-monetary balance sheet items denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency are translated using the historical rate. The Company continuously evaluates its foreign currency exposures and may continue to enter into hedges or other risk mitigating arrangements in the future. Aggregate gross foreign currency transaction gain (loss) prior to consideration of the offsetting hedges recorded to income before taxes was $3.1 million, ($3.3) million and ($2.8) million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Cash Equivalents, Short and Long-Term Marketable Securities. Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid financial instruments with insignificant interest rate risk that are readily convertible to cash and have maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. Marketable securities with original maturities greater than three months from purchase date and remaining maturities less than one year are classified as short-term marketable securities. Marketable securities with remaining maturities greater than one year as of the balance sheet date are classified as long-term marketable securities. Short and long-term fixed income investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government-sponsored agency securities, international government securities, corporate notes and bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal notes and bonds. The fair market value of cash equivalents at December 28, 2014 approximated their carrying value. Cost of securities sold is based on specific identification.
	In determining if and when a decline in market value below cost of these investments is other-than-temporary, the Company evaluates both quantitative and qualitative information including the market conditions, offering prices, trends of earnings, price multiples and other key measures. For fixed income securities, only the decline attributable to deteriorating credit of an other-than-temporary impairment is taken to the Consolidated Statement of Operations, unless the Company intends, or “more likely than not” will be required, to sell the security.
	Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from two to twenty-five years, or the remaining lease term, whichever is shorter.
	Variable Interest Entities. The Company evaluates its equity method investments to determine whether any investee is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). If the Company concludes that an investee is a VIE, the Company evaluates its power to direct the activities of the investee, its obligation to absorb the expected losses of the investee and its right to receive the expected residual returns of the investee to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the investee. If the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Company consolidates such entity and reflects the non-controlling interest of other beneficiaries of that entity. If the Company concludes that an investee is not a VIE, the Company does not consolidate the investee.
	Equity Investments. The Company accounts for investments in equity securities of other entities, including VIEs that are not consolidated, under the cost method of accounting if investments in voting equity interests of the investee are less than 20%. The equity method of accounting is used if the Company’s investment in voting stock is greater than or equal to 20% but less than a majority. In considering the accounting method for investments less than 20%, the Company also considers other factors such as its ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee. If certain factors are present, the Company could account for investments for which it has less than a 20% ownership under the equity method of accounting.
	Investments in public companies with restrictions of less than one year are classified as available-for-sale and are adjusted to their fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Investments in public and non-public companies are reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine if their value has been impaired and adjustments are recorded as necessary. Upon disposition of these investments, the specific identification method is used to determine the cost basis in computing realized gains or losses. Declines in value that are judged to be other-than-temporary are reported in Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net, or Cost of revenue in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Inventories and Inventory Valuation. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Market value is based upon an estimated average selling price reduced by estimated costs of disposal. Should actual market conditions differ from the Company’s estimates, the Company’s future results of operations could be materially affected. Reductions in inventory valuation are included in Cost of revenue in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Inventory impairment charges, when taken, permanently establish a new cost basis and are not subsequently reversed to income even if circumstances later suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable. Rather, these amounts are recognized in income only if, as and when the inventory is sold.
	The Company reduces the carrying value of its inventory to a new basis for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions, including assumptions about changes in average selling prices. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional reductions in inventory valuation may be required.
	The Company’s finished goods inventory includes consigned inventory held at customer locations as well as at third‑party fulfillment centers and subcontractors.
	Other Long-Lived Assets. Intangible assets with finite useful lives and other long-lived assets are tested for impairment if certain impairment indicators are identified. The Company assesses the carrying value of long-lived assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these long-lived assets may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers important which could result in an impairment review include: (1) significant under-performance relative to the historical or projected future operating results; (2) significant changes in the manner of use of assets; (3) significant negative industry or economic trends; and (4) significant changes in the Company’s market capitalization relative to net book value. Any changes in key assumptions used by the Company, including those set forth above, could result in an impairment charge and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.
	Advertising Expenses. Marketing co-op development programs, where the Company receives, or will receive, an identifiable benefit (e.g., goods or services) in exchange for the amount paid to its customer and the Company can reasonably estimate the fair value of the benefit it receives for the customer incentive payment, are classified, when granted, as a marketing expense. Advertising expenses not meeting this criteria are classified as a reduction to revenue when the expense is incurred. Advertising expenses recorded as marketing expense were $27.9 million, $19.6 million and $16.2 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Research and Development Expenses. Research and development (“R&D”) expenditures are expensed as incurred.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014‑15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” to provide guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The Company expects to adopt ASU 2014‑15 in fiscal year 2016 and the Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014‑15 to have a significant impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014‑09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” Under this guidance, an entity is required to recognize revenue upon transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. As such, an entity will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. This standard becomes effective and will be adopted in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 with early adoption not permitted. Under application of the existing guidance, the Company’s sales made to distributors and retailers are generally deferred until the distributors or retailers sell the merchandise to their end customer. Under the new standard, the Company’s sales made to distributors and retailers are expected to be recognized upon transfer of inventory to the distributor or retailer resulting in earlier revenue recognition than per existing guidance with additional use of estimation. In addition, the timing of the Company’s revenue relating to the licensing of IP could materially change. The Company is currently evaluating the appropriate transition method and any further impact of this guidance on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
	During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company early adopted the FASB accounting guidance ASU No. 2014‑08, “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment,” which raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the new definition of a discontinued operation. It also allows an entity to present a discontinued operation even when it has continuing cash flows and significant continuing involvement with the disposed component. The Company determined that the adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements or related disclosures.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea

Investments and Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Investments and Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Investments and Fair Value Measurements	Investments and Fair Value Measurements
	The Company’s total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	809,003		$	986,246
	Short-term marketable securities	1,455,509			1,919,611
	Long-term marketable securities	2,758,475			3,179,471
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	5,022,987		$	6,085,328
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments. For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash held in banks, accounts receivable and accounts payable, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities, and are therefore excluded from the fair value tables below.
	The Company categorizes the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities according to the hierarchy established by the FASB, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
	Level 1	Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to directly access.
	Level 2	Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; valuations for interest-bearing securities based on non-daily quoted prices in active markets; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3	Valuations based on inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	In circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available, the Company is required to use the quoted price of the identical liability when traded as an asset, quoted prices for similar liabilities, or quoted prices for similar liabilities when traded as assets. If these quoted prices are not available, the Company is required to use another valuation technique, such as an income approach or a market approach.
	The Company’s financial assets are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Instruments that are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy generally include money market funds and U.S. Treasury securities. Level 1 securities represent quoted prices in active markets, and therefore do not require significant management judgment.
	Instruments that are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy primarily include U.S. government-sponsored agency securities, international government securities, corporate notes and bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal notes and bonds. The Company’s Level 2 securities are primarily valued using quoted market prices for similar instruments and non-binding market prices that are corroborated by observable market data. The Company uses inputs such as actual trade data, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes and other similar data, which are obtained from independent pricing vendors, quoted market prices or other sources to determine the ultimate fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities. The inputs and fair value are reviewed for reasonableness and may be further validated by comparison to publicly available information or compared to multiple independent valuation sources. In addition, the Company reviews third‑party valuation models, independently calculates the fair value of selective financial instruments and assesses the controls at its third‑party valuation service providers in determining the overall reasonableness of the fair value of its Level 2 financial instruments.
	Financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following types of instruments (in thousands):
		December 28, 2014												December 29, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Money market funds	$	533,133		$	—		$	—		$	533,133		$	760,363	$	—	$	—		$	760,363
	Fixed income securities	25,162			4,213,599			—			4,238,761			160,194		4,985,059		—			5,145,253
	Derivative assets	—			4,800			—			4,800			—		777		—			777
	Total financial assets	$	558,295		$	4,218,399		$	—		$	4,776,694		$	920,557	$	4,985,836	$	—		$	5,906,393
	Derivative liabilities	$	—		$	8,224		$	—		$	8,224		$	—	$	45,859	$	—		$	45,859
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	8,224		$	—		$	8,224		$	—	$	45,859	$	—		$	45,859
	Financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis were presented on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):
		December 28, 2014												December 29, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Cash equivalents(1)	$	533,133		$	24,777		$	—		$	557,910		$	773,435	$	33,099	$	—		$	806,534
	Short-term marketable securities	3,327			1,452,182			—			1,455,509			15,090		1,904,521		—			1,919,611
	Long-term marketable securities	21,835			2,736,640			—			2,758,475			132,032		3,047,439		—			3,179,471
	Other current assets	—			4,800			—			4,800			—		777		—			777
	Total financial assets	$	558,295		$	4,218,399		$	—		$	4,776,694		$	920,557	$	4,985,836	$	—		$	5,906,393
	Other current accrued liabilities	$	—		$	8,224		$	—		$	8,224		$	—	$	45,741	$	—		$	45,741
	Non-current liabilities	—			—			—			—			—		118		—			118
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	8,224		$	—		$	8,224		$	—	$	45,859	$	—		$	45,859
	(1)	Cash equivalents exclude cash holdings of $251.1 million and $179.7 million included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively.
	During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company had no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company had no financial assets or liabilities categorized as Level 3 and had not elected the fair value option for any financial assets and liabilities for which such an election would have been permitted.
	Available-for-Sale Investments. Available-for-sale investments were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28, 2014												December 29, 2013
		Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gain			Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value			Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	25,194		$	—		$	(32	)	$	25,162		$	160,598	$	21	$	(424	)	$	160,195
	U.S. government-sponsored agency securities	7,511			—			(18		)	7,493			8,112		10		(1		)	8,121
	International government securities	82,033			—			(314		)	81,719			38,492		1		(224		)	38,269
	Corporate notes and bonds	774,869			325			(2,052		)	773,142			864,331		1,504		(1,565		)	864,270
	Asset-backed securities	171,221			42			(353		)	170,910			226,620		114		(170		)	226,564
	Mortgage-backed securities	48,378			6			(173		)	48,211			86,542		18		(554		)	86,006
	Municipal notes and bonds	3,124,189			9,733			(1,798		)	3,132,124			3,744,138		18,931		(1,241		)	3,761,828
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	4,233,395		$	10,106		$	(4,740	)	$	4,238,761		$	5,128,833	$	20,599	$	(4,179	)	$	5,145,253
	The fair value and gross unrealized losses on the available-for-sale securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, aggregated by type of investment instrument, and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 28, 2014, are summarized in the following table (in thousands). Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position have been excluded from the table.
		Less than 12 months						Greater than 12 months
		Fair Value			Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized Loss
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	25,162		$	(32	)	$	—		$	—
	U.S. government-sponsored agency securities	7,394			(18		)	—			—
	International government securities	81,719			(314		)	—			—
	Corporate notes and bonds	586,903			(2,046		)	2,494			(6		)
	Asset-backed securities	137,007			(353		)	—			—
	Mortgage-backed securities	31,954			(132		)	9,518			(41		)
	Municipal notes and bonds	709,505			(1,796		)	4,453			(2		)
	Total	$	1,579,644		$	(4,691	)	$	16,465		$	(49	)
	The gross unrealized loss related to these securities was due primarily to changes in interest rates. The gross unrealized loss on all available-for-sale fixed income securities at December 28, 2014 was considered temporary in nature. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than the cost basis, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold an investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. For debt security investments, the Company considered additional factors including the Company’s intent to sell the investments or whether it is “more likely than not” the Company will be required to sell the investments before the recovery of its amortized cost.
	The following table shows the realized gains and (losses) on sales of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
	December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
	2014			2013			2012
Realized gains	$	8,918		$	4,724		$	3,867
Realized losses	(1,375		)	(2,349		)	(898		)
Net realized gains	$	7,543		$	2,375		$	2,969
Fixed income securities by contractual maturity as of December 28, 2014 are shown below (in thousands). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay obligations or the Company has the option to demand payment.
	Amortized Cost			Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	860,203		$	861,915
After one year through five years	2,603,444			2,606,289
After five years through ten years	122,637			122,643
After ten years	647,111			647,914
Total	$	4,233,395		$	4,238,761
For those financial instruments where the carrying amounts differ from fair value, the following table (in thousands) represents the related carrying values and fair values, which are based on quoted market prices. The 1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 were categorized as Level 1 and the 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 were categorized as Level 2, based on the frequency of trading as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013. See Note 7, “Financing Arrangements,” regarding details of each convertible note presented.
	December 28, 2014						December 29, 2013
	Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017	$	869,645		$	1,948,721		$	829,792		$	1,467,160
0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020	1,199,696			1,789,500			1,155,571			1,480,290
Total	$	2,069,341		$	3,738,221		$	1,985,363		$	2,947,450

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure	Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to manage exposures to foreign currency. The Company’s primary objective in holding derivative instruments is to reduce the volatility of earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency. The program is not designated for trading or speculative purposes. The Company’s derivative instruments expose the Company to credit risk to the extent that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreement. The Company seeks to mitigate such risk by limiting its counterparties to major financial institutions and by spreading the risk across several major financial institutions. In addition, the potential risk of loss with any one counterparty resulting from this type of credit risk is monitored by the Company on an ongoing basis.
	The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value and provides qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. Changes in fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of the derivatives are recorded as cost of revenue, operating expense, other income (expense), or as other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Under certain provisions and conditions within agreements with counterparties to the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts, subject to applicable requirements, the Company has the right of set-off associated with the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts and is allowed to net settle transactions of the same currency with a single net amount payable by one party to the other. The Company does not offset or net the fair value amounts of derivative instruments in its Consolidated Balance Sheets and separately discloses the gross fair value amounts of the derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities.
	Cash Flow Hedges. The Company uses foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to hedge a portion of future forecasted wafer purchases and R&D expenses in Japanese yen. The gain or loss on the effective portion of a cash flow hedge is initially reported as a component of AOCI and subsequently reclassified into cost of revenue or R&D expense in the same period or periods in which the cost of revenue or R&D expense are recognized, or reclassified into other income (expense) if the hedged transaction becomes probable of not occurring. Any gain or loss after a hedge is no longer designated, because it is no longer probable of occurring or related to an ineffective portion of a cash flow hedge, as well as any amount excluded from the Company’s hedge effectiveness, is recognized immediately as other income (expense). As of December 28, 2014, the notional amount and unrealized loss on the effective portion of the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts to purchase Japanese yen that are designated as cash flow hedges are shown in both Japanese yen (in billions) and U.S. dollar (in thousands), based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014, as follows:
		Notional Amount						Unrealized Loss
		(Japanese yen)			(U.S. dollar)			(U.S. dollar)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	¥	12.5		$	103,826		$	(1,472	)
	As of December 28, 2014, the maturities of these contracts were two months or less.
	Other Derivatives. Other derivatives that are non-designated consist primarily of foreign exchange forward contracts to minimize the risk associated with the foreign exchange effects of revaluing monetary assets and liabilities. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and the associated outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts were marked-to-market at December 28, 2014 with realized and unrealized gains and losses included in other income (expense). As of December 28, 2014, the Company had foreign exchange forward contracts hedging exposures in European euros, British pounds and Japanese yen. Foreign exchange forward contracts were outstanding to buy and sell U.S. dollar-equivalents of approximately $182.4 million and $135.2 million in foreign currencies, respectively, based upon the exchange rates at December 28, 2014.
	The amounts in the tables below include fair value adjustments related to the Company’s own credit risk and counterparty credit risk.
	Fair Value of Derivative Contracts. Gross fair value of derivative contracts was as follows (in thousands):
		Derivative assets reported in
		Other Current Assets						Other Non-current Assets
		December 28,			December 29,			December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	$	4,800		$	777		$	—		$	—
		Derivative liabilities reported in
		Other Current Accrued Liabilities						Non-current Liabilities
		December 28,			December 29,			December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	$	1,472		$	38,375		$	—		$	118
	Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	6,752			7,366			—			—
	Total derivatives	$	8,224		$	45,741		$	—		$	118
	As of December 28, 2014, the potential effect of rights of set-off associated with the above foreign exchange forward contracts would result in a $2.8 million net derivative asset balance and a net derivative liability balance of $6.3 million. As of December 29, 2013, the potential effect of rights of set-off would result in a net derivative liability balance of $45.2 million and an immaterial net derivative asset balance.
	Effect of Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Designated as Cash Flow Hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. All designated cash flow derivative contracts were considered effective for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013. The impact of the effective portion of designated cash flow derivative contracts on the Company’s results of operations was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		Amount of loss									Amount of loss reclassified
		recognized in OCI									from AOCI to earnings
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,			December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(99	)	$	(74,834	)	$	(38,197	)	$	(25,418	)	$	(41,523	)	$	(10,946	)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges relate to forecasted wafer purchases and R&D expenses in Japanese yen. Gains and losses associated with foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are expected to be recorded in cost of revenue for wafer purchases or R&D expense when reclassified out of AOCI. The Company expects to realize the majority of the AOCI balance related to foreign exchange contracts within the next 12 months.
	The following table presents the forward points on foreign exchange contracts excluded for the purposes of cash flow hedging designation recognized in other income (expense) (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(1,134	)	$	(1,201	)	$	(6,630	)
	Effect of Non-Designated Derivative Contracts on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The effect of non-designated derivative contracts on the Company’s results of operations recognized in other income (expense) was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	Gain (loss) on foreign exchange forward contracts including forward point income	$	(5,627	)	$	1,427		$	9,025
	Gain (loss) from revaluation of foreign currency exposures hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts	7,998			(4,460		)	(3,511		)

Balance_Sheet_Information

Balance Sheet Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Information	Balance Sheet Information
	Accounts Receivable, net. Accounts receivable, net was as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Accounts receivable	$	1,134,254			$	904,551
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(9,622		)		(8,274		)
	Promotions, price protection and other activities	(282,156		)		(213,468		)
	Total accounts receivable, net	$	842,476			$	682,809
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	8,274			$	6,627			$	5,717
	Additions charged to costs and expenses	857				2,167				1,452
	Allowance adjustment	1,272				—				—
	Deductions/write-offs	(781		)		(520		)		(542		)
	Balance, end of year	$	9,622			$	8,274			$	6,627
	Inventory. Inventory was as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Raw material	$	369,860			$	440,570
	Work-in-process	138,594				102,543
	Finished goods	189,557				213,862
	Total inventory	$	698,011			$	756,975
	Other Current Assets. Other current assets were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Income tax receivables	$	18,579			$	7,976
	Other tax-related receivables	84,432				62,784
	Other non-trade receivables	69,033				37,368
	Prepaid expenses	18,579				12,630
	Other current assets	24,369				46,127
	Total other current assets	$	214,992			$	166,885
	Property and Equipment. Property and equipment were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Machinery and equipment	$	1,318,454			$	1,148,150
	Furniture and fixtures	24,090				20,481
	Software	191,900				171,733
	Buildings and building improvements	338,412				261,471
	Leasehold improvements	26,525				6,559
	Land	24,427				24,427
	Capital land lease	12,827				6,644
	Property and equipment, at cost	1,936,635				1,639,465
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,212,278		)		(983,671		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	724,357			$	655,794
	Depreciation expense of property and equipment totaled $254.3 million, $226.3 million and $161.9 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Notes Receivable and Investments in Flash Ventures. Notes receivable and investments in Flash Partners Ltd., Flash Alliance Ltd. and Flash Forward Ltd. (collectively referred to as “Flash Ventures”) were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Notes receivable, Flash Partners Ltd.	$	12,454			$	100,057
	Notes receivable, Flash Alliance Ltd.	292,677				323,995
	Notes receivable, Flash Forward Ltd.	161,906				169,144
	Investment in Flash Partners Ltd.	167,102				190,694
	Investment in Flash Alliance Ltd.	249,459				283,999
	Investment in Flash Forward Ltd.	79,219				66,731
	Total notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	$	962,817			$	1,134,620
	Equity-method investments and the Company’s maximum loss exposure related to Flash Ventures are discussed further in Note 14, “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees – Flash Ventures” and Note 15, “Related Parties and Strategic Investments.”
	The Company assesses financing receivable credit quality through financial and operational reviews of the borrower and creditworthiness, including credit rating agency ratings, of significant investors of the borrower, where material or known. Impairments, when required for credit worthiness, are recorded in other income (expense). The Company makes or will make long-term loans to Flash Ventures to fund new process technologies and additional wafer capacity. The Company aggregates its Flash Ventures’ notes receivable into one class of financing receivables due to the similar ownership interest and common structure in each Flash Venture entity. For all reporting periods presented, no loans were past due and no loan impairments were recorded.
	Other Non-current Assets. Other non-current assets were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Prepaid tax on intercompany transactions	$	33,375			$	37,747
	Long-term prepaid income tax	—				66,176
Other non-current assets	75,302				63,507
Total other non-current assets	$	108,677			$	167,430
Other Current Accrued Liabilities. Other current accrued liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
	December 28,				December 29,
	2014				2013
Accrued payroll and related expenses	$	233,702			$	227,779
Taxes payable	74,079				59,618
Derivative contract payables	8,224				45,741
Other current accrued liabilities	190,288				176,594
Total other current accrued liabilities	$	506,293			$	509,732
Non-current Liabilities. Non-current liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
	December 28,				December 29,
	2014				2013
Income tax liabilities	$	132,320			$	205,266
Deferred revenue	31,066				35,346
Deferred tax liabilities	22,360				3,482
Other non-current liabilities	59,808				62,989
Total non-current liabilities	$	245,554			$	307,083
Warranties. The liability for warranty expense is included in Other current accrued liabilities and Non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the activity was as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal years ended
	December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
	2014				2013				2012
Balance, beginning of year	$	43,624			$	38,787			$	26,957
Additions and adjustments to cost of revenue	21,315				33,400				33,247
Warranty liability assumed from acquisition	3,794				2,363				—
Usage	(20,178		)		(30,926		)		(21,417		)
Balance, end of year	$	48,555			$	43,624			$	38,787
The majority of the Company’s products have a warranty of five years or less, with a small number of products having a warranty ranging up to ten years or more. For warranties ten years or greater, including lifetime warranties, the Company uses the estimated useful life of the product to calculate the warranty exposure. A provision for the estimated future cost related to warranty expense is recorded at the time of customer invoice. The Company’s warranty liability is affected by customer and consumer returns, product failures, number of units sold and repair or replacement costs incurred. Should actual product failure rates, or repair or replacement costs, differ from the Company’s estimates, increases or decreases to its warranty liability would be required. Additions and adjustments to cost of revenue in the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014 included adjustments to certain warranty assumptions, related to future potential claims, resulting in a $5.7 million reduction to the overall future warranty exposure.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). AOCI presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, foreign currency translation and hedging activities, net of tax, for all periods presented (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Accumulated net unrealized gain (loss) on:
	Available-for-sale investments	$	3,359			$	10,479
	Foreign currency translation	(197,252		)		(47,440		)
	Hedging activities	(14,179		)		(39,498		)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(208,072	)		$	(76,459	)
	The amount of income tax benefit allocated to the unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation activities was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Available-for-sale investments	$	(3,934	)		$	(3,383	)		$	3,121
	Foreign currency translation	(4,163		)		(38,006		)		(23,791		)
	Total income tax benefit allocated	$	(8,097	)		$	(41,389	)		$	(20,670	)
	The significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI were as follows (in thousands):
			Fiscal years ended
	AOCI Component		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,			Statement of Operations
			2014				2013				2012			Line Item
	Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments		$	7,543			$	2,375			$	2,969		Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net
	Tax impact		(2,677		)		(1,122		)		(1,051		)	Provision for income taxes
	Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments, net of tax		4,866				1,253				1,918
	Unrealized holding loss on derivatives:
	Foreign exchange contracts		(24,142		)		(41,523		)		(10,946		)	Cost of revenue
	Foreign exchange contracts		(1,276		)		—				—			Research and development
	Loss on cash flow hedging activities		(25,418		)		(41,523		)		(10,946		)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(20,552	)		$	(40,270	)		$	(9,028	)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill. Goodwill balances and activity were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of year	$	318,111		$	201,735
	Acquisition	513,398			115,775
	Adjustment	(181		)	601
	Balance, end of year	$	831,328		$	318,111
	During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, goodwill increased by $513.2 million, due primarily to the Company’s acquisition of Fusion‑io, Inc. (“Fusion‑io”) during the third quarter of fiscal year 2014. For additional information regarding the Fusion-io acquisition, see Note 17, “Business Acquisitions.”
	Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed and tested for impairment at least annually, on the first day of the Company’s fourth quarter and whenever events or circumstances occur that indicate that goodwill might be impaired. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the Company’s reporting unit level. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the goodwill is impaired and determine whether further action is needed (“Step 0”). For the year ended December 28, 2014, the Company performed a Step 1 quantitative assessment of its goodwill and did not identify an impairment of goodwill. As such, the Company did not perform any further goodwill impairment testing.
	Intangible Assets. Intangible asset balances were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28, 2014
		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Developed product technology	$	568,744		$	(209,478	)	$	359,266
	Customer relationships	64,600			(21,009		)	43,591
	Trademarks and trade names	62,500			(7,395		)	55,105
	Acquisition-related intangible assets	695,844			(237,882		)	457,962
	Technology licenses and patents	102,000			(78,611		)	23,389
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	797,844			(316,493		)	481,351
	Acquired in-process research and development	61,000			—			61,000
	Total intangible assets	$	858,844		$	(316,493	)	$	542,351
		December 29, 2013
		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Impairment			Net Carrying Amount
	Developed product technology	$	348,385		$	(121,304	)	$	(44,216	)	$	182,865
	Customer relationships	20,650			(14,426		)	—			6,224
	Trademarks	14,200			(3,634		)	(2,812		)	7,754
	Covenants not to compete	3,100			(2,959		)	—			141
	Acquisition-related intangible assets	386,335			(142,323		)	(47,028		)	196,984
	Technology licenses and patents	133,909			(89,289		)	—			44,620
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	520,244			(231,612		)	(47,028		)	241,604
	Acquired in-process research and development	42,500			—			(36,200		)	6,300
	Total intangible assets	$	562,744		$	(231,612	)	$	(83,228	)	$	247,904
	During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, total intangible assets increased due primarily to the acquisition of Fusion-io. Additionally, the Company reclassified $6.3 million of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) to developed product technology and commenced amortization during the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.
	In fiscal year 2013, the Company performed impairment tests on the amortizable intangible and IPR&D assets from the Pliant Technology, Inc. (“Pliant”) acquisition due to the SMART Storage Systems (“SMART Storage”) acquisition. Based upon its impairment analysis, the Company recorded an impairment of certain amortizable intangible assets and IPR&D assets totaling $83.2 million in fiscal year 2013, which was included in Impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Acquired IPR&D is accounted for as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually until technological feasibility is achieved or development is complete. Upon completion of development, the acquired IPR&D is considered an amortizable finite-lived intangible asset. Amortization expense of technology licenses and patents is recorded to cost of revenue or R&D based upon the use of the technology.
	Amortization expense of intangible assets totaled $148.6 million, $84.3 million and $76.5 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The annual expected amortization expense of intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 28, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		Acquisition-related Intangible Assets			Technology Licenses and Patents
	Fiscal year:
	2015	$	152,375		$	20,056
	2016	109,971			3,333
	2017	90,916			—
	2018	66,260			—
	2019	38,440			—
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$	457,962		$	23,389

Financing_Arrangements

Financing Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Financing Arrangements	Financing Arrangements
	The following table reflects the carrying values of the Company’s convertible debt (in thousands):
		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	1.5% Notes due 2017	$	996,788		$	1,000,000
	Less: Unamortized bond discount	(127,143		)	(170,208		)
	Net carrying amount of 1.5% Notes due 2017	869,645			829,792
	0.5% Notes due 2020	1,500,000			1,500,000
	Less: Unamortized bond discount	(300,304		)	(344,429		)
	Net carrying amount of 0.5% Notes due 2020	1,199,696			1,155,571
	Total convertible debt	2,069,341			1,985,363
	Less: Convertible short-term debt	(869,645		)	—
	Convertible long-term debt	$	1,199,696		$	1,985,363
	1% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2013. On May 15, 2013, the maturity date for the 1% Convertible Senior Notes due May 15, 2013 (“1% Notes due 2013”), the Company settled the 1% Notes due 2013 through an all-cash transaction for principal and accrued interest of $928.1 million and $4.6 million, respectively. As of the date of the redemption, the Company had no further obligations related to the 1% Notes due 2013. In connection with the maturity of the 1% Notes due 2013, the associated convertible bond hedge and warrant transactions also terminated, with no shares purchased under the convertible bond hedge agreement and no exercises of the warrants.
	The following table presents the amount of interest cost recognized relating to the contractual interest coupon, amortization of bond issuance costs and amortization of the bond discount on the liability component of the 1% Notes due 2013 that was settled upon maturity in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 29,			December 30,
		2013			2012
	Contractual interest coupon	$	3,481		$	9,280
	Amortization of bond issuance costs	1,013			2,783
	Amortization of bond discount	21,022			53,599
	Total interest cost recognized	$	25,516		$	65,662
	The effective interest rate on the liability component of the 1% Notes due 2013 was 7.4% for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012.
	1.5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2017. In August 2010, the Company issued and sold $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due August 15, 2017 (“1.5% Notes due 2017”) at par. The 1.5% Notes due 2017 may be converted, under certain circumstances described below, based on an initial conversion rate of 19.0931 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents 19.1 million shares at an initial conversion price of approximately $52.37 per share). The 1.5% Notes due 2017 contain provisions where the conversion rate and conversion price are adjusted if the Company pays a cash dividend or makes a distribution to all or substantially all holders of its common stock. Accordingly, as of December 28, 2014, the conversion rate was adjusted for dividends paid to date to 19.4714 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents 19.4 million shares at a conversion price of approximately $51.36 per share). The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 were $981.0 million.
	The Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of the 1.5% Notes due 2017. The principal amount of the liability component of $706.0 million as of the date of issuance was recognized at the present value of its cash flows using a discount rate of 6.85%, the Company’s borrowing rate at the date of the issuance for a similar debt instrument without the conversion feature. As of the date of issuance, the carrying value of the equity component was $294.0 million.
	The following table presents the amount of interest cost recognized relating to the contractual interest coupon, amortization of bond issuance costs and amortization of the bond discount on the liability component of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	Contractual interest coupon	$	14,984		$	15,000		$	15,000
	Amortization of bond issuance costs	2,666			2,667			2,666
	Amortization of bond discount	41,848			39,095			36,364
	Total interest cost recognized	$	59,498		$	56,762		$	54,030
	The effective interest rate on the liability component of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 was 6.85% for each of the three fiscal years ended December 28, 2014. The remaining unamortized bond discount of $127.1 million as of December 28, 2014 will be amortized over the remaining life of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, which is approximately 2.6 years.
	The 1.5% Notes due 2017 may be converted on any day prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding May 15, 2017, in multiples of $1,000 principal amount at the option of the holder under any of the following circumstances: 1) during the five business-day period after any five consecutive trading-day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per note for each day of such measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on each such day; 2) during any calendar quarter after the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2010, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for 20 or more trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter exceeds 130% of the applicable conversion price in effect on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter; or 3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions. On and after May 15, 2017 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of August 15, 2017, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
	Upon conversion, a holder will receive the conversion value of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 to be converted equal to the conversion rate multiplied by the volume-weighted-average price of the Company’s common stock during a specified period following the conversion date. The conversion value of each 1.5% Note due 2017 will be paid in: 1) cash equal to the lesser of the principal amount of the note or the conversion value, as defined, and 2) to the extent the conversion value exceeds the principal amount of the note, common stock (plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares of common stock). The conversion price will be subject to adjustment in some events but will not be adjusted for accrued interest. Upon a “fundamental change” at any time, as defined, the Company will in some cases increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its 1.5% Notes due 2017 in connection with such fundamental change. In addition, the holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their notes upon a “designated event” at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
	As of the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2014, the 1.5% Notes due 2017 were convertible at the holders’ option beginning on January 1, 2015 and ending March 31, 2015 as the last reported sales price of the Company’s stock exceeded 130% of the conversion price for more than 20 days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days prior to December 31, 2014. Accordingly, the carrying value of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 was classified as a current liability and the difference between the principal amount payable in cash upon conversion and the carrying value of the equity component of $127.1 million of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 was reclassified from Stockholders’ equity to Convertible short-term debt conversion obligation on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 28, 2014, and will remain so while the notes are convertible. The determination of whether or not the 1.5% Notes due 2017 are convertible must continue to be performed on a calendar-quarter basis. Consequently, the 1.5% Notes due 2017 may be reclassified as long-term debt if the conversion threshold is not met in future quarters. Based on the last closing price of the quarter ended December 28, 2014 of $101.31 for the Company’s common stock, if all of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 then outstanding were converted, 9.6 million shares would be distributed to the holders.
	During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, $3.2 million aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 (“Converted Notes”) was converted at the holders’ option, and the Company delivered cash of $3.2 million and 26,626 shares of the Company’s common stock with respect to any conversion value greater than the principal amount of the Converted Notes. The Company recorded a loss of $0.4 million during the quarter ended December 28, 2014 related to the extinguishment of the Converted Notes, which represents the difference between the fair market value allocated to the liability component and the net carrying amount of the liability component and unamortized debt issuance costs on settlement date. As of December 28, 2014, after conversion of $3.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Converted Notes, the remaining aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 outstanding was $996.8 million. As of January 30, 2015, the Company had received additional conversion notices for a total of $46 thousand aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, for which conversion is expected to be completed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015.
	The Company pays cash interest at an annual rate of 1.5%, payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning February 15, 2011. Debt issuance costs were $18.7 million, of which $5.5 million was allocated to capital in excess of par value and $13.2 million was allocated to deferred issuance costs and is amortized to interest expense over the term of the 1.5% Notes due 2017. As of December 28, 2014, unamortized deferred issuance cost was $4.9 million.
	Concurrently with the issuance of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, the Company purchased a convertible bond hedge and sold warrants. The convertible bond hedge transaction is structured to reduce the potential future economic dilution associated with the conversion of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 and, combined with the warrants, to increase the initial conversion price to $73.3250 per share. Each of these components is discussed separately below:
	•	Convertible Bond Hedge. Counterparties agreed to sell to the Company up to approximately 19.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock, which is the number of shares initially issuable upon conversion of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 in full, at a price of $52.37 per share. The 1.5% Notes due 2017 contains provisions where the number of shares to be sold under the convertible bond hedge transaction and the conversion price will be adjusted if the Company pays a cash dividend or makes a distribution to all or substantially all holders of its common stock. Adjusting for dividends paid through December 28, 2014, the counterparties have agreed to sell to us up to approximately 19.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock, which is the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 in full, at a price of $51.36 per share as of December 28, 2014. This convertible bond hedge transaction will be settled in net shares and will terminate upon the earlier of the maturity date of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 or the first day none of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 remain outstanding due to conversion or otherwise. Settlement of the convertible bond hedge in net shares, based on the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, on the maturity date would result in the Company receiving net shares equivalent to the number of shares issuable by the Company upon conversion of the 1.5% Notes due 2017. Should there be an early unwind of the convertible bond hedge transaction, the number of net shares potentially received by the Company will depend upon 1) the then existing overall market conditions, 2) the Company’s stock price, 3) the volatility of the Company’s stock, and 4) the amount of time remaining before maturity of the convertible bond hedge. The convertible bond hedge transaction cost of $292.9 million has been accounted for as an equity transaction. The Company initially recorded approximately $1.7 million in stockholders’ equity from the deferred tax asset related to the convertible bond hedge at inception of the transaction. Through December 28, 2014, the Company had received 26,622 shares of the Company’s common stock from the exercise of a portion of the convertible note hedges related to the conversion of the $3.2 million aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017.
	•	Warrants. The Company received $188.1 million from the same counterparties from the sale of warrants to purchase up to approximately 19.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $73.3250 per share. The 1.5% Notes due 2017 contains provisions whereby the number of shares to be acquired under the warrants and the strike price are adjusted if the Company pays a cash dividend or makes a distribution to all or substantially all holders of its common stock. Adjusting for dividends paid through December 28, 2014, holders of the warrants may acquire up to approximately 19.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of $71.9005 per share as of December 28, 2014. The warrants mature on 40 different dates from November 13, 2017 through January 10, 2018 and are exercisable at the maturity date. At each maturity date, the Company may, at its option, elect to settle the warrants on a net share basis. As of December 28, 2014, the warrants had not been exercised and remained outstanding. The value of the warrants was initially recorded in equity and continues to be classified as equity.
	0.5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2020. In October 2013, the Company issued and sold $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due October 15, 2020 (the “0.5% Notes due 2020”) at par. The 0.5% Notes due 2020 may be converted, under certain circumstances described below, based on an initial conversion rate of 10.8470 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents 16.3 million shares at an initial conversion price of approximately $92.19 per share). The 0.5% Notes due 2020 contain provisions where the conversion rate and conversion price are adjusted if the Company pays a cash dividend greater than a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share or makes a distribution to all or substantially all holders of its common stock. Accordingly, as of December 28, 2014, the conversion rate was adjusted for dividends in excess of $0.225 per share paid to date to 10.8647 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents 16.3 million shares at a conversion price of approximately $92.04 per share). The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 were approximately $1.48 billion.
	The Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of the 0.5% Notes due 2020. The principal amount of the liability component of $1.15 billion as of the date of issuance was recognized at the present value of its cash flows using a discount rate of 4.43%, the Company’s borrowing rate at the date of the issuance for a similar debt instrument without the conversion feature. As of December 28, 2014, the carrying value of the equity component of $352.0 million was unchanged from the date of issuance.
	The following table presents the amount of interest cost recognized relating to the contractual interest coupon, amortization of bond issuance costs and amortization of the bond discount on the liability component of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 (in thousands):
			Fiscal years ended
			December 28, 2014			December 29,
						2013
	Contractual interest coupon		$	7,500		$	1,271
	Amortization of bond issuance costs		2,551			439
	Amortization of bond discount		43,527			7,486
	Total interest cost recognized		$	53,578		$	9,196
	The effective interest rate on the liability component of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 was 4.43% for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013. The remaining unamortized bond discount of $300.3 million as of December 28, 2014 will be amortized over the remaining life of the 0.5% Notes due 2020, which is approximately 5.8 years.
	The 0.5% Notes due 2020 may be converted on any day prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding July 15, 2020, in multiples of $1,000 principal amount at the option of the holder under any of the following circumstances: 1) during the five business-day period after any five consecutive trading-day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per note for each day of such measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on each such day; 2) during any calendar quarter after the calendar quarter ending December 29, 2013, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock for 20 or more trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter exceeds 130% of the applicable conversion price in effect on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter; or 3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions. On and after July 15, 2020 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of October 15, 2020, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances.
	Upon conversion, a holder will receive the conversion value of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 to be converted equal to the conversion rate multiplied by the volume-weighted-average price of the Company’s common stock during a specified period following the conversion date. The conversion value of each 0.5% Note due 2020 will be paid in: 1) cash equal to the lesser of the principal amount of the note or the conversion value, as defined, and 2) to the extent the conversion value exceeds the principal amount of the note, common stock (plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares of common stock). The conversion price will be subject to adjustment in some events but will not be adjusted for accrued interest. Upon a “fundamental change” at any time, as defined, the Company will in some cases increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its 0.5% Notes due 2020 in connection with such fundamental change. In addition, the holders may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their notes upon a “designated event” at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. As of December 28, 2014, the 0.5% Notes due 2020 were not convertible.
	The Company pays cash interest at an annual rate of 0.5%, payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning April 15, 2014. Debt issuance costs were $17.6 million, of which $4.1 million was allocated to capital in excess of par value and $13.5 million was allocated to deferred issuance costs and is amortized to interest expense over the term of the 0.5% Notes due 2020. As of December 28, 2014, unamortized deferred issuance cost was $11.2 million.
	Concurrently with the issuance of the 0.5% Notes due 2020, the Company purchased a convertible bond hedge and sold warrants. The convertible bond hedge transaction is structured to reduce the potential future economic dilution associated with the conversion of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 and, combined with the warrants, to increase the initial conversion price to $122.9220 per share. Each of these components is discussed separately below:
	•	Convertible Bond Hedge. Counterparties agreed to sell to the Company up to approximately 16.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock, which is the number of shares initially issuable upon conversion of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 in full, at a price of $92.19 per share. The 0.5% Notes due 2020 contains provisions where the number of shares to be sold under the convertible bond hedge transaction and the conversion price will be adjusted if the Company pays a cash dividend greater than a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share or makes a distribution to all or substantially all holders of its common stock. Adjusting for dividends paid through December 28, 2014, the counterparties have agreed to sell to us up to approximately 16.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock, which is the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 in full, at a price of $92.04 per share as of December 28, 2014. This convertible bond hedge transaction will be settled in net shares and will terminate upon the earlier of the maturity date of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 or the first day none of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 remain outstanding due to conversion or otherwise. Settlement of the convertible bond hedge in net shares, based on the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the 0.5% Notes due 2020, on the maturity date would result in the Company receiving net shares equivalent to the number of shares issuable by the Company upon conversion of the 0.5% Notes due 2020. Should there be an early unwind of the convertible bond hedge transaction, the number of net shares potentially received by the Company will depend upon 1) the then existing overall market conditions, 2) the Company’s stock price, 3) the volatility of the Company’s stock, and 4) the amount of time remaining before maturity of the convertible bond hedge. The convertible bond hedge transaction cost of $331.7 million has been accounted for as an equity transaction. The Company initially recorded approximately $119.5 million in stockholders’ equity from the deferred tax asset related to the convertible bond hedge at inception of the transaction. As of December 28, 2014, the Company had not purchased any shares under this convertible bond hedge agreement.
	•	Warrants. The Company received $217.8 million from the same counterparties from the sale of warrants to purchase up to approximately 16.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $122.9220 per share. The 0.5% Notes due 2020 contains provisions whereby the number of shares to be acquired under the warrants and the strike price are adjusted if the Company pays a cash dividend greater than a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share or makes a distribution to all or substantially all holders of its common stock. Adjusting for dividends paid through December 28, 2014, holders of the warrants may acquire up to approximately 16.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of $122.7218 per share as of December 28, 2014. The warrants mature on 40 different dates from January 13, 2021 through March 11, 2021 and are exercisable at the maturity date. At each maturity date, the Company may, at its option, elect to settle the warrants on a net share basis. As of December 28, 2014, the warrants had not been exercised and remained outstanding. The value of the warrants was initially recorded in equity and continues to be classified as equity.

Share_Repurchases

Share Repurchases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Share Repurchases [Abstract]
Treasury Stock	Stock Repurchases
	The Company’s Board of Directors authorized in October 2011 a program to repurchase up to $500.0 million of shares of the Company’s common stock.  The stock repurchase program was increased by an additional $750.0 million by the Company’s Board of Directors in December 2012 and was fully expended by the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2013.  In July 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program of $2.5 billion, of which $626.7 million remained available for stock repurchases as of December 28, 2014. In January 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the stock repurchase program by an additional $2.5 billion. The current stock repurchase program will remain in effect until the available funds have been expended or the Company’s Board of Directors terminates the program.
	Under the Company’s stock repurchase program, shares repurchased are recorded as a reduction to Capital in excess of par value and Retained earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The repurchases will be made from time to time in privately negotiated or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5‑1 of the Securities Exchange Act, or in structured stock repurchase programs, and may be made in one or more repurchases, in compliance with Rule 10b‑18 of the Securities Exchange Act. Stock repurchases are subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of common stock, or any shares at all, and may be suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion. As part of the stock repurchase program, the Company has entered into, and may continue to enter into, structured stock repurchase transactions with financial institutions. These agreements generally require that the Company make an up-front payment in exchange for the right to receive a fixed number of shares of its common stock upon execution of the agreement, with a potential increase or decrease in the number of shares at the end of the term of the agreement.
	In the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, under the Company’s stock repurchase program, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement with a financial institution to purchase $1.0 billion of the Company’s common stock. In exchange for an up-front payment of $1.0 billion, the financial institution committed to deliver shares during the ASR’s purchase period, which ended on April 8, 2014. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, 14.5 million shares were initially delivered to the Company under this ASR agreement. The up-front payment of $1.0 billion was accounted for as a reduction to Stockholders’ equity in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. In April 2014, the ASR was settled and the Company received an additional 0.6 million shares from the financial institution for a total of 15.1 million shares, which resulted in a volume-weighted-average price of $66.07 per share.
	The Company reflected the ASR as a repurchase of common stock for purposes of calculating earnings per share and as a forward contract indexed to its own common stock. The forward contract met all of the applicable criteria for equity classification, and therefore, was not accounted for as a derivative instrument.
	Under the Company’s stock repurchase programs, since the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 through December 28, 2014, the Company spent an aggregate $3.12 billion to repurchase 45.3 million shares. Included in the aggregate repurchase activity are 14.3 million shares that were repurchased for an aggregate amount of $1.30 billion during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014. In addition to repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program, during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company spent $41.3 million to settle employee tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and withheld an equivalent value of shares from the shares provided to the employees upon vesting.

Concentration_of_Risk_and_Segm

Concentration of Risk and Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Concentration of Risk and Segment Information [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Disclosure	Concentration of Risk and Segment Information
	Geographic Information and Major Customers. The Company markets and sells flash memory products in the U.S. and in foreign countries through its sales personnel, dealers, distributors, retailers and subsidiaries. The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker, its President and Chief Executive Officer, evaluates performance of the Company and makes decisions regarding allocation of resources based on total Company results. Since the Company operates in one segment, all financial segment information can be found in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Other than sales in the U.S., China and Taiwan, no individual country represented more than 10% of the Company’s revenue. Intercompany sales between geographic areas have been eliminated.
	Revenue by geographic areas for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	United States	$	1,136,284	$	877,759	$	714,293
	China	2,026,122		1,887,207		1,195,617
	Taiwan	864,461		958,705		981,801
	Other Asia-Pacific	1,464,720		1,363,927		1,290,291
	Europe, Middle East and Africa	814,817		780,079		642,494
	Other foreign countries	321,297		302,326		228,013
	Total	$	6,627,701	$	6,170,003	$	5,052,509
	Product revenue from customers is designated based on the geographic location to which the product is delivered. License and royalty revenue is attributed to countries based upon the location of the headquarters of the licensee.
	Long-lived assets by geographic area were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013
	United States	$	314,578	$	313,959
	Japan	503,234		553,318
	China	283,533		299,704
	Other foreign countries	150,918		47,070
	Total	$	1,252,263	$	1,214,051
	Long-lived assets are attributed to the geographic location in which they are located. The Company includes in long-lived assets property and equipment, long-term equity investments in Flash Ventures and other equity investments, and attributes those investments to the location of the investee’s primary operations.
	Customer and Supplier Concentrations. A limited number of customers or licensees have accounted for a substantial portion of the Company’s revenue. Revenue from the Company’s top 10 customers or licensees accounted for approximately 48%, 49% and 43% of the Company’s revenue for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, Apple Inc. (“Apple”) accounted for 19%, 20% and 13% of the Company’s revenue, respectively.
	All of the Company’s flash memory system products require silicon wafers for the memory and controller components. The Company’s memory wafers are currently supplied almost entirely from Flash Ventures and the controller wafers are all manufactured by third‑party subcontractors. The failure of any of these sources to deliver silicon wafers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, the employees of Toshiba Corporation (“Toshiba”) that produce Flash Ventures’ products are covered by collective bargaining agreements and any strike or other job action by those employees could interrupt the Company’s wafer supply from Toshiba’s Yokkaichi, Japan operations.
	In addition, some key components are purchased from single source vendors for which alternative sources are currently not available. Shortages could occur in these essential materials due to an interruption of supply or increased demand in the industry. If the Company were unable to procure certain of such materials, it could reduce sales, which could have a material adverse effect upon its results of operations. The Company also relies on third‑party subcontractors to assemble and test a portion of its products. The Company does not have long-term contracts with some of these subcontractors and cannot directly control product delivery schedules or manufacturing processes. This could lead to product shortages or quality assurance problems that could increase the manufacturing costs of the Company’s products and have material adverse effects on the Company’s operating results.
	Concentration of Credit Risk. The Company’s concentration of credit risk consists principally of cash, cash equivalents, short and long-term marketable securities and trade receivables. The Company’s investment policy restricts investments to high-credit quality investments and limits the amounts invested with any one issuer. The Company sells to Commercial and Retail customers in the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); and Asia-Pacific. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally requires no collateral. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company’s top 10 customers or licensees accounted for approximately 68% and 64% of the Company’s net accounts receivable, respectively. As of December 28, 2014, Apple and Best Buy Co., Inc. (“Best Buy”) accounted for 34% and 10% of the Company’s net accounts receivable, respectively. As of December 29, 2013, Apple and Best Buy accounted for 32% and 11% of the Company’s net accounts receivable, respectively.
	Off-Balance Sheet Risk. The Company has off-balance sheet financial obligations. See Note 14, “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees.”

Stockholders_Equity_and_ShareB

Stockholders Equity and Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Dividend Declaration	Dividends
	During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared the following dividends:
	Declaration Date		Dividend per Share				Record Date		Total Amount Declared				Payment Date
									(In millions)
	January 21, 2014		$	0.225			February 3, 2014		$	51.7			February 24, 2014
	April 15, 2014		0.225				May 5, 2014		52				May 27, 2014
	July 15, 2014		0.3				August 4, 2014		68.5				August 25, 2014
	October 15, 2014		0.3				November 3, 2014		67.5				November 24, 2014
	On January 21, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.30 per share for holders of record as of March 2, 2015, which is to be paid on March 23, 2015. Future dividends are subject to declaration by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Share-Based Compensation	Share‑based Benefit Plans
	2013 Incentive Plan. On June 12, 2013, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2013 Incentive Plan (“2013 Plan”). Shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued under the 2013 Plan pursuant to two separate equity incentive programs: (i) the discretionary grant program under which stock options and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) may be granted to officers and other employees, non-employee board members and independent consultants, and (ii) the stock issuance and cash bonus program under which eligible persons may, at the discretion of the plan administrator, be issued shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) or other share-based awards which vest upon the completion of a designated service period or the attainment of pre-established performance milestones, be awarded cash bonus opportunities which are earned through the attainment of pre-established performance milestones, or be issued shares of the Company’s common stock through direct purchase or as a bonus for services rendered to the Company. Options eligible for exercise may be exercised for shares of the Company’s common stock at any time prior to the expiration of the seven-year option term or any earlier termination of those options in connection with the optionee’s cessation of service with the Company. Outstanding RSU awards under the 2013 Plan have dividend equivalent rights which entitle holders of RSUs to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. Dividend equivalent rights are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding unvested RSUs. Dividend equivalent rights are accumulated and paid when the underlying shares vest. A total of 20,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have initially been reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan. The 2013 Plan share reserve may be increased by up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock to the extent that outstanding share-based awards under the 1995 Stock Option Plan and the 2013 Plan expire, terminate or lapse, of which 762,444 shares of common stock as of December 28, 2014 had been added to the 2013 Plan share reserve. All options granted under the 2013 Plan are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant and will expire seven years from the date of grant.
	2005 Incentive Plan. The 2005 Incentive Plan terminated on June 12, 2013 and no further share-based awards were made under this plan after that date. Share-based awards that were outstanding under this plan as of December 28, 2014 continue to be governed by their existing terms. Options eligible for exercise may be exercised for shares of the Company’s common stock at any time prior to the expiration of the seven‑year option term or any earlier termination of those options in connection with the optionee’s cessation of service with the Company. Outstanding RSU awards under this plan have dividend equivalent rights, which entitle holders of RSUs to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. Dividend equivalent rights are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding unvested RSUs.
	1995 Stock Option Plan. This plan terminated on May 27, 2005 and no further option grants were made under the plans after that date. Options eligible for exercise that were outstanding under these plans as of December 28, 2014 continue to be governed by their existing terms and may be exercised for shares of the Company’s common stock at any time prior to the expiration of the ten‑year option term or any earlier termination of those options in connection with the optionee’s cessation of service with the Company.
	2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) was originally approved by the stockholders on May 27, 2005 and amended and restated with approval by the stockholders on June 19, 2014. The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at the end of each six-month offering period at a purchase price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value per share on the start date of the offering period or the fair market value per share on the purchase date. The ESPP has 10,000,000 shares reserved for issuance, of which 3,706,401 shares were available to be issued as of December 28, 2014. In fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, a total of 639,265 shares, 623,887 shares and 684,646 shares of common stock, respectively, were issued under this plan.
	Acquired Plans. In connection with the Company’s acquisitions of Fusion‑io, SMART Storage, FlashSoft, Pliant, msystems Ltd. and Matrix Semiconductor, Inc., the Company adopted various equity incentive plans, which were effective upon completion of the applicable acquisition. Each of these plans was terminated as of the date of acquisition and no further grants were made under any of these plans after their termination. Any unvested option grants that were outstanding under these plans as of December 28, 2014 continue to be governed by their existing terms and may be exercised for shares of the Company’s common stock. Vested options may be exercised for shares of the Company’s common stock at any time prior to the expiration of the option term or any earlier termination of those options in connection with the optionee’s cessation of service with the Company.
	Accounting for Share-based Compensation Expense
	For share-based awards expected to vest, compensation cost is based on the grant-date fair value. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair values of these awards, which have graded vesting, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of each of these awards, net of estimated forfeitures.
	Valuation Assumptions
	The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted and ESPP shares issued using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing formula and a single-option award approach. The Company’s expected term represents the period that the Company’s share-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience for similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the share-based awards. The Company’s expected volatility is based on the implied volatility of its traded options. The Company’s dividend yield is based on the annualized dividend and the share price at each dividend declaration date. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with an equivalent term.
	Option Plan Shares. The fair value of the Company’s stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members, excluding unvested stock options assumed through acquisitions, was estimated using the following annual weighted-average assumptions:
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Dividend yield	1.14% - 1.42%		0% - 1.65%		—%
	Expected volatility	0.32		0.37		0.43
	Risk-free interest rate	1.22%		0.74%		0.60%
	Expected term	4.4 years		4.4 years		4.3 years
	Estimated annual forfeiture rate	8.79%		8.51%		8.59%
	Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$18.96		$16.26		$16.45
	RSU Plan Shares. The fair value of the Company’s RSU awards granted, excluding unvested RSU awards assumed through acquisitions, was valued using the closing price of the Company’s stock price on the date of grant.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares. The fair value of shares issued under the Company’s ESPP program was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Dividend yield	1.14% - 1.25%		0% - 1.65%		—%
	Expected volatility	0.31		0.34		0.41
	Risk-free interest rate	0.07%		0.11%		0.15%
	Expected term	½ year		½ year		½ year
	Weighted-average fair value at purchase date	$19.39		$13.08		$11.87
	Share‑based Compensation Plan Activities
	Stock Options and SARs. A summary of stock option and SARs activities under all of the Company’s share‑based compensation plans as of December 28, 2014 and changes during the three fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 are presented below (in thousands, except for weighted-average exercise price and remaining contractual term):
		Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price				Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Options and SARs outstanding as of January 1, 2012	17,559			$	36.55			3.4		$	257,251
	Granted	2,336			46.49
	Exercised	(3,403	)		21.32						81,622
	Forfeited	(469	)		38.12
	Expired	(597	)		53.1
	Options and SARs outstanding as of December 30, 2012	15,426			40.73				3.2		109,411
	Granted	1,142			52.69
	Exercised	(7,362	)		35.53						163,992
	Forfeited	(433	)		43.72
	Expired	(2,363	)		60.7
	Options assumed through acquisition	183			19.37
	Options and SARs outstanding as of December 29, 2013	6,593			40.66				4.2		195,018
	Granted	1,032			76.82
	Exercised	(3,635	)		40.54						163,623
	Forfeited	(318	)		51.88
	Expired	(9	)		41.09
	Options assumed through acquisition	427			68.49
	Options and SARs outstanding as of December 28, 2014	4,090			51.94				4.5		202,044
	Options and SARs vested and expected to vest after December 28, 2014, net of forfeitures	3,864			51.23				4.4		193,621
	Options and SARs exercisable as of December 28, 2014	1,547			38.53				3.2		97,107
	As of December 28, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, was approximately $36.2 million, and this amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years. As of December 28, 2014, the Company had fully expensed all of its SARs awards.
	Restricted Stock Units. RSUs are settled in shares of the Company’s common stock upon vesting on a one-for-one basis. Typically, vesting of RSUs is subject to the employee’s continuing service to the Company. The cost of these awards is determined using the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, and compensation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting period.
	A summary of the changes in RSUs outstanding under the Company’s share‑based compensation plans during the three fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 is presented below (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant date fair value):
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value				Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Non-vested share units as of January 1, 2012	2,051			$	40.22			$	100,913
	Granted	1,840			45.04
	Vested	(646	)		47.75				29,479
	Forfeited	(227	)		42.85
	Assumed through acquisition	59			46.63
	Non-vested share units as of December 30, 2012	3,077			43.51				131,622
	Granted	2,665			53.99
Vested	(950	)		41.97				50,268
Forfeited	(338	)		46.93
Non-vested share units as of December 29, 2013	4,454			49.87				221,457
Granted	2,888			81.62
Vested	(1,594	)		51.19				129,945
Forfeited	(606	)		70.81
Assumed through acquisition	445			94.35
Non-vested share units as of December 28, 2014	5,587			67.18				375,366
As of December 28, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs, net of estimated forfeitures, was approximately $244.8 million, and this amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As of December 28, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to ESPP was approximately $1.5 million, and this amount is expected to be recognized over a period of two months.
Share‑based Compensation Expense. The following tables set forth the detailed allocation of the share‑based compensation expense (in thousands):
	Fiscal years ended
	December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
	2014				2013				2012
Share‑based compensation expense by caption:
Cost of revenue	$	14,720			$	9,820			$	7,459
Research and development	74,842				51,521				41,009
Sales and marketing	35,972				19,193				14,585
General and administrative	29,779				19,222				15,390
Total share‑based compensation expense	155,313				99,756				78,443
Total tax benefit recognized	(42,685		)		(28,183		)		(20,122		)
Decrease in net income	$	112,628			$	71,573			$	58,321
Share‑based compensation expense by type of award:
Stock options	$	35,607			$	32,803			$	35,428
RSUs	108,259				59,962				35,260
ESPP	11,447				6,991				7,755
Total share‑based compensation expense	155,313				99,756				78,443
Total tax benefit recognized	(42,685		)		(28,183		)		(20,122		)
Decrease in net income	$	112,628			$	71,573			$	58,321
Share‑based compensation expense of $4.3 million and $2.7 million related to manufacturing personnel was capitalized into inventory as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively.
In the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company recognized $10.8 million in share-based compensation expense related to acceleration of equity awards held by former Fusion-io employees.
The total grant date fair value of options and RSUs vested during the three fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal years ended
	December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
	2014				2013				2012
Options	$	37,986			$	36,703			$	37,674
RSUs	81,619				39,885				24,327
Total grant date fair value of vested options and RSUs	$	119,605			$	76,588			$	62,001

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate

Restructuring and Other Related Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure	Restructuring and Other
	During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company recorded the following in Restructuring and other (in thousands):
	Restructuring costs	$	12,050
	Other costs	20,941
	Total restructuring and other	$	32,991
	Restructuring Costs. During the six months ended December 28, 2014, the Company implemented a restructuring plan which primarily consisted of reductions in workforce in certain functions of the organization, primarily in the U.S. and certain foreign countries, because of redundant activities due to the Fusion‑io acquisition, as well as realignment of certain projects. A restructuring charge of $12.0 million was recorded during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, of which $11.4 million related to severance and benefits for involuntary termination of personnel in manufacturing operations, research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative functions of approximately 143 employees. The remaining $0.6 million was primarily for asset disposals and an excess lease obligation. All expenses, including adjustments, associated with the restructuring plan are included in Restructuring and other in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The following table sets forth an analysis of the components of the restructuring charge and payments made against the reserve as of December 28, 2014 (in thousands):
		Severance and Benefits			Other			Total
					Charges
	Accrual balance at December 29, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Charges	11,437			585			12,022
	Adjustments	33			(5		)	28
	Cash payments	(6,699		)	(25		)	(6,724		)
	Non-cash items	—			(515		)	(515		)
	Accrual balance at December 28, 2014	$	4,771		$	40		$	4,811
	The Company anticipates that the remaining restructuring reserve balance will be paid out in cash through the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 in connection with the Company’s employee transition program.
	Other Costs. During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company recognized other costs of $20.9 million related to its acquisition of Fusion‑io. Direct acquisition-related costs of $9.1 million primarily consisted of expenses incurred for legal, banker, accounting and tax fees. The remaining costs incurred were primarily related to certain employee change of control charges, employee retention bonus payments and litigation and integration expenses.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes	Provision for Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	388,532			$	359,012			$	74,258
	State	12,404				9,972				(824		)
	Foreign	88,563				103,981				101,710
		489,499				472,965				175,144
	Deferred:
	Federal	10,544				27,328				45,383
	State	(13,250		)		2,645				1,634
	Foreign	(5,209		)		(29,446		)		(12,649		)
		(7,915		)		527				34,368
	Provision for income taxes	$	481,584			$	473,492			$	209,512
	Income before provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	United States	$	1,319,528			$	1,436,470			$	518,509
	Foreign	169,502				79,679				108,407
	Total	$	1,489,030			$	1,516,149			$	626,916
	The Company’s provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rates to income before taxes as follows:
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. federal statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State taxes, net of federal benefit	0.8			0.6			0.3
	Non-deductible share-based compensation expense	1			0.5			1.3
	Valuation allowance	0.8			(0.1	)		0.2
	Tax-exempt interest income	(0.6	)		(0.7	)		(1.9	)
	Foreign earnings at other than U.S. rates	(2.2	)		(2.9	)		(1.2	)
	Settlements with tax authorities	(1.7	)		—			(0.6	)
	Other	(0.8	)		(1.2	)		0.3
	Effective income tax rates	32.3	%		31.2	%		33.4	%
	The Company’s earnings and taxes resulting from foreign operations are largely attributable to its Chinese, Irish, Israeli and Japanese entities.
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax return reporting purposes. Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Deferred income on shipments to distributors and retailers and deferred revenue recognized for tax purposes	$	65,002			$	68,117
	Accruals and reserves not currently deductible	98,342				63,236
	Depreciation and amortization not currently deductible	96,735				81,245
	Deductible share-based compensation	32,679				28,684
	Unrealized loss on investments	10,045				13,620
	Unrealized foreign exchange loss	10,357				8,061
	Net operating loss carryforwards	196,809				36,422
	Tax credit carryforwards	61,134				37,905
	Other	22,100				24,667
	Gross deferred tax assets	593,203				361,957
	Valuation allowance	(96,128		)		(52,105		)
	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	497,075				309,852
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Acquired intangible assets	(146,955		)		(2,701		)
	Unrealized gain on investments	(2,007		)		(5,939		)
	Unrealized foreign exchange gain	—				(3,127		)
	U.S. taxes provided on unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	(28,844		)		(28,844		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(177,806		)		(40,611		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	319,269			$	269,241
	The Company assesses its valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets on a regular and periodic basis. The assessment of valuation allowance against deferred tax assets requires estimations and significant judgment. The Company continues to assess and adjust its valuation allowance based on operating results and market conditions. During fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, based on weighing both the positive and negative evidence available, including but not limited to, earnings history, projected future outcomes, industry and market trends and the nature of each of the deferred tax assets, the Company determined that it is able to realize most of its deferred tax assets with the exception of certain loss and credit carryforwards.
	The Company has federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $513.2 million and $453.7 million, respectively. The net operating losses will begin to expire in fiscal year 2015 if not utilized. The Company also has Federal and California research credit carryforwards of $13.1 million and $77.3 million, respectively. Federal research credits can be carried forward 20 years, while California research credits can be carried forward to future years indefinitely. Some of these carryforwards are subject to annual limitations, including under Section 382 and Section 383 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for U.S. tax purposes and similar state provisions.
	As of December 28, 2014, the Company had not made a provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on $969.1 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as the Company intends to indefinitely reinvest these earnings outside the U.S. to fund its international capital expenditures and operating requirements. The Company determined that it is not practicable to calculate the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these cumulative unremitted earnings. If these earnings were distributed to the U.S., the Company would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes reduced by any available foreign tax credits.
	The tax benefit from share-based plans was applied to capital in excess of par value in the amount of $45.1 million, $0.6 million and $11.7 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal years ended
	December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
	2014				2013				2012
Balance, beginning of year	$	185,250			$	179,522			$	185,826
Additions:
Tax positions related to current year	17,656				8,255				8,164
Tax positions related to prior years	14,411				15,938				942
Reductions:
Tax positions related to prior years	(9,597		)		(1,737		)		(7,186		)
Expiration of statute of limitations	(8,039		)		(7,419		)		(2,003		)
Settlements with taxing authorities	(71,121		)		—				—
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,387		)		(9,309		)		(6,221		)
Balance, end of year	$	125,173			$	185,250			$	179,522
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $100.4 million as of December 28, 2014. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties included in the Company’s liability related to unrecognized tax benefits as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013 was $30.1 million and $32.7 million, respectively. Interest and penalties, net, included in the Company’s tax expense was ($0.2) million, $2.2 million and $2.9 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
It is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $56.2 million within the next 12 months as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitations and the settlement of income tax audits. The Company is currently under audit by several tax authorities in which the timing of the resolution and/or closure of these audits is highly uncertain. Therefore it is not possible to estimate other changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for positions existing as of December 28, 2014.
The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income taxes in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. In August 2014, the Company received and signed the closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) relating to its federal income tax returns for the years 2005 through 2008. In fiscal year 2014, the Company recorded a benefit of $25.2 million as a result of several audit settlements.
The IRS is currently conducting an examination of the Company’s federal income tax returns for fiscal years 2009 through 2011. Though the Company can reasonably expect the current cycle to be resolved within the next 12 months, the timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain as are the amounts and timing of tax payments that are part of any audit settlement process. In addition, the Company is currently under audit by various state and international tax authorities. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the outcome of these examinations, or provide assurance that the outcome of these examinations will not materially harm the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
The Company has a tax holiday in Malaysia that expires in December 2023. The impact of the tax holiday was immaterial to income taxes and earnings per share in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Per Share	Net Income per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator for basic net income per share:
	Net income	$	1,007,446	$	1,042,657	$	417,404
	Denominator for basic net income per share:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	222,714		234,886		242,076
	Basic net income per share	$	4.52	$	4.44	$	1.72
	Numerator for diluted net income per share:
	Net income	$	1,007,446	$	1,042,657	$	417,404
	Denominator for diluted net income per share:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	222,714		234,886		242,076
	Incremental common shares attributable to exercise of outstanding employee stock options, SARs and ESPP (assuming proceeds would be used to purchase common stock), and RSUs	3,419		3,263		3,177
	1.5% Notes due 2017	8,261		2,087		—
	Warrants issued in conjunction with the 1.5% Notes due 2017	3,815		—		—
	Shares used in computing diluted net income per share	238,209		240,236		245,253
	Diluted net income per share	$	4.23	$	4.34	$	1.7
	Anti-dilutive shares excluded from net income per share calculation	33,672		53,485		70,309
	Basic earnings per share exclude any dilutive effects of stock options, SARs, RSUs, warrants and convertible debt. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effects of stock options, SARs, RSUs, ESPP, the 1.5% Notes due 2017 and warrants issued in conjunction with the 1.5% Notes due 2017. Certain common stock issuable under stock options, RSUs, the 0.5% Notes due 2020 and warrants issued in conjunction with the 0.5% Notes due 2020, has been omitted from the current year diluted net income per share calculation because the inclusion is considered anti-dilutive. Certain common stock issuable under stock options, SARs, RSUs, the 1% Notes due 2013, the 1.5% Notes due 2017, the 0.5% Notes due 2020, and warrants issued in conjunction with the 1% Notes due 2013, the 1.5% Notes due 2017 and the 0.5% Notes due 2020, has been omitted from the prior year diluted net income per share calculation because the inclusion is considered anti-dilutive.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Commitments Contingencies and Guarantees [Abstract]
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees	Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
	Flash Ventures
	Flash Ventures, the Company’s business ventures with Toshiba, consists of three separate legal entities: Flash Partners Ltd., Flash Alliance Ltd. and Flash Forward Ltd. The Company has a 49.9% ownership interest in each of these entities and Toshiba owns 50.1% of each of these entities. Through these ventures, the Company and Toshiba have collaborated in the development and manufacture of NAND flash memory products, which are manufactured by Toshiba at its wafer fabrication facility located in Yokkaichi, Japan, using semiconductor manufacturing equipment owned or leased by Flash Ventures. The entities within Flash Ventures purchase wafers from Toshiba at cost and then resell those wafers to the Company and Toshiba at cost plus a markup. The Company accounts for its ownership position in each Flash Ventures entity under the equity method of accounting. The Company is committed to purchase its provided three-month forecast of Flash Ventures’ NAND wafer supply, which generally equals 50% of Flash Ventures’ output. The Company is not able to estimate its total wafer purchase commitment obligation beyond its rolling three-month purchase commitment because the price is determined by reference to the future cost of producing the semiconductor wafers. In addition, the Company is committed to fund 49.9% to 50% of Flash Ventures’ costs to the extent that Flash Ventures’ revenue from wafer sales to the Company and Toshiba are insufficient to cover these costs.
	Flash Partners. Flash Partners Ltd. (“Flash Partners”) was formed in fiscal year 2004. NAND flash memory products provided to the Company by this venture are manufactured by Toshiba primarily at its 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility (“Fab 3”) located in Yokkaichi, Japan. As of December 28, 2014, the Company had notes receivable from Flash Partners of $12.5 million, denominated in Japanese yen. These notes are secured by the equipment purchased by Flash Partners with the note proceeds. The Company also has guarantee obligations to Flash Partners; see “Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities.” As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company had an equity investment in Flash Partners of $167.1 million and $190.7 million, respectively, denominated in Japanese yen, adjusted by ($7.3) million and $17.3 million, respectively, of cumulative translation adjustments recorded in AOCI. The Company records basis adjustments to its equity in earnings from Flash Partners that relate to the difference between the basis in the Company’s equity investment compared to the historical basis of the assets recorded by Flash Partners. In the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company recorded no basis adjustments to its equity in earnings from Flash Partners. In the fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the Company recorded a basis adjustment of $1.2 million and $3.0 million, respectively, to its equity earnings from Flash Partners. Flash Partners’ share of the Fab 3 fabrication facility is fully equipped.
	Flash Alliance. Flash Alliance Ltd. (“Flash Alliance”) was formed in fiscal year 2006. NAND flash memory products provided to the Company by this venture are manufactured by Toshiba primarily at its 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility (“Fab 4”) located in Yokkaichi, Japan. As of December 28, 2014, the Company had notes receivable from Flash Alliance of $292.7 million, denominated in Japanese yen. These notes are secured by the equipment purchased by Flash Alliance with the note proceeds. The Company also has guarantee obligations to Flash Alliance; see “Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities.” As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company had an equity investment in Flash Alliance of $249.5 million and $284.0 million, respectively, denominated in Japanese yen, adjusted by ($45.5) million and ($8.7) million, respectively, of cumulative translation adjustments recorded in AOCI. The Company records basis adjustments to its equity in earnings from Flash Alliance that relate to the difference between the basis in the Company’s equity investment compared to the historical basis of the assets recorded by Flash Alliance. In the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company recorded no basis adjustments to its equity in earnings from Flash Alliance. In the fiscal years ended December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the Company recorded a basis adjustment of $6.5 million and $15.2 million, respectively, to its equity earnings from Flash Alliance. Flash Alliance’s share of the Fab 4 fabrication facility is fully equipped.
	Flash Forward. Flash Forward Ltd. (“Flash Forward”) was formed in fiscal year 2010. NAND flash memory products provided to the Company by this venture are manufactured by Toshiba primarily at its 300-millimeter wafer fabrication facility (“Fab 5”) located in Yokkaichi, Japan. Fab 5 was built in two phases. Phase 1 of the building is fully equipped. The Phase 2 shell of Fab 5 is complete and has been partially equipped. The Phase 2 shell is currently intended to be used primarily for technology transition of the existing Flash Ventures wafer capacity to 1Y‑nanometer and 15‑nanometer technology nodes, the addition of a 3‑dimensional NAND (“3D NAND”) pilot line in the second half of 2015, and for the tools required for a planned increase in Flash Ventures wafer capacity of approximately 5%, with such wafer capacity increase expected to be completed by mid‑2015. As of December 28, 2014, the Company had notes receivable from Flash Forward of $161.9 million, denominated in Japanese yen. These notes are secured by the equipment purchased by Flash Forward with the note proceeds. The Company also has guarantee obligations to Flash Forward; see “Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities.” As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company had an equity investment in Flash Forward of $79.2 million and $66.7 million, respectively, denominated in Japanese yen, adjusted by ($28.4) million and ($16.2) million, respectively, of cumulative translation adjustments recorded in AOCI.
	In 2014, the Company entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Toshiba related to the construction and operation of Toshiba’s “New Fab 2” fabrication facility, which is primarily intended to provide space to convert Flash Ventures’ current 2D NAND capacity to 3D NAND, with expected readiness for production in 2016.
	Inventory Purchase Commitments with Flash Ventures. Purchase orders placed under Flash Ventures for up to three months are binding and cannot be canceled. These outstanding purchase commitments are included as part of the total “Noncancelable production purchase commitments” in the “Contractual Obligations” table.
	Other Arrangements and Activities
	Research and Development Activities. The Company participates in common R&D activities with Toshiba and is contractually committed to a minimum funding level.
	Toshiba Foundry.  In the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company concluded its foundry arrangement with Toshiba.
	Other Silicon Sources. The Company’s contracts with its other sources of silicon wafers generally require the Company to provide monthly purchase order commitments. The purchase orders placed under these arrangements are generally binding and cannot be canceled. These outstanding purchase commitments for other sources of silicon wafers are included as part of the total “Noncancelable production purchase commitments” in the “Contractual Obligations” table.
	Subcontractors. In the normal course of business, the Company’s subcontractors periodically procure production materials based on the forecast the Company provides to them. The Company’s agreements with these subcontractors require that the Company reimburse them for materials that are purchased on the Company’s behalf in accordance with such forecast. Accordingly, the Company may be committed to certain costs over and above its open noncancelable purchase orders with these subcontractors. These commitments for production materials to subcontractors are included as part of the total “Noncancelable production purchase commitments” in the “Contractual Obligations” table.
	Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities
	Flash Ventures. Flash Ventures sells and leases back from a consortium of financial institutions (“lessors”) a portion of its tools and has entered into equipment master lease agreements of which the Company guarantees half of the total outstanding obligations. As of December 28, 2014, the total amount of the Company’s guarantee obligation of Flash Ventures’ master lease agreements, which reflects future payments and any lease adjustments, was 66.4 billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551 million, based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014.
	The master lease agreements contain customary covenants for Japanese lease facilities. In addition to containing customary events of default related to Flash Ventures that could result in an acceleration of Flash Ventures’ obligations, the master lease agreements contain an acceleration clause for certain events of default related to the Company as guarantor, including, among other things, the Company’s failure to maintain a minimum stockholders’ equity of at least $1.51 billion. As of December 28, 2014, Flash Ventures was in compliance with all of its master lease covenants, including the stockholders’ equity covenant with the Company’s stockholders’ equity at $6.53 billion as of December 28, 2014. If the Company’s stockholders’ equity falls below $1.51 billion, or other events of default occur, Flash Ventures would become non-compliant under its master equipment lease agreements and would be required to negotiate a resolution to the non-compliance to avoid acceleration of the obligations under such agreements. Such resolution could include, among other things, supplementary security to be supplied by the Company, as guarantor, or increased interest rates or waiver fees, should the lessors decide they need additional collateral or financial consideration under the circumstances. If a non-compliance event were to occur and if the Company failed to reach a resolution, the Company could be required to pay a portion or the entire outstanding lease obligations covered by its guarantees under such Flash Ventures master lease agreements.
	The following table details the Company’s portion of the remaining guarantee obligations under each of Flash Ventures’ master lease facilities (both initial and refinanced leases) in both Japanese yen (in billions) and U.S. dollar-equivalent (in thousands) based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014:
	Master Lease Agreements by Execution Date		Lease Type		Lease Amounts								Expiration
					(Japanese yen)				(U.S. dollar)
	Flash Partners:
	Mar-12		Refinanced		¥	1.9			$	16,074			2015
	Mar-14		Initial		4.6				37,967				2019
	Dec-14		Initial		3.2				26,932				2019
					9.7				80,973
	Flash Alliance:
	Mar-12		Initial		5.2				43,477				2017
	Jul-12		Refinanced		9.8				81,271				2017
	Mar-14		Initial		4.5				37,479				2019
	May-14		Initial		6.1				50,256				2019
	Aug-14		Initial		6.4				53,040				2019
	Dec-14		Initial		5				41,418				2019
					37				306,941
	Flash Forward:
	Nov-11		Initial		7.7				63,604				2016
	Mar-12		Initial		5				41,447				2017
	Jul-12		Initial		2				16,600				2017
	Dec-14		Initial		5				41,399				2019
					19.7				163,050
	Total guarantee obligations				¥	66.4			$	550,964
	The following table details the breakdown of the Company’s remaining guarantee obligations between the principal amortization and the purchase option exercise price at the end of the term of the master lease agreements, in annual installments as of December 28, 2014 in U.S. dollars based upon the yen/dollar exchange rate at December 28, 2014 (in thousands):
	Annual Installments		Payment of Principal Amortization				Purchase Option Exercise Price at Final Lease Terms				Guarantee Amount
	Year 1		$	145,318			$	15,073			$	160,391
	Year 2		120,164				10,236				130,400
	Year 3		78,822				49,238				128,060
	Year 4		45,157				8,892				54,049
	Year 5		26,079				31,530				57,609
	Year 6		2,564				17,891				20,455
	Total guarantee obligations		$	418,104			$	132,860			$	550,964
	Guarantees
	Indemnification Agreements. The Company has agreed to indemnify suppliers and customers for alleged IP infringement. The scope of such indemnity varies, but may, in some instances, include indemnification for damages and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. The Company may periodically engage in litigation as a result of these indemnification obligations. The Company’s insurance policies exclude coverage for third‑party claims for patent infringement. Although the liability is not remote, the nature of the patent infringement indemnification obligations prevents the Company from making a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount it could be required to pay to its suppliers and customers. Historically, the Company has not made any significant indemnification payments under any such agreements. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, no amounts have been accrued in the Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees.
	As permitted under Delaware law and the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the Company has agreements, or has assumed agreements in connection with its acquisitions, whereby it indemnifies certain of its officers and employees, and each of its directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer, employee or director is, or was, serving at the Company’s or the acquired company’s request in such capacity. The term of the indemnification period is for the officer’s, employee’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is generally unlimited; however, the Company has a Director and Officer insurance policy that may reduce its exposure and enable it to recover all or a portion of any future amounts paid. As a result of its insurance coverage, the Company believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. The Company had no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, as these liabilities are not reasonably estimable even though liabilities under these agreements are not remote.
	The Company and Toshiba have agreed to mutually contribute to, and indemnify each other and Flash Ventures for, environmental remediation costs or liability resulting from Flash Ventures’ manufacturing operations in certain circumstances. The Company and Toshiba have also entered into a Patent Indemnification Agreement under which, in many cases, the Company will share in the expenses associated with the defense and cost of settlement associated with such claims. This agreement provides limited protection for the Company against third‑party claims that NAND flash memory products manufactured and sold by Flash Ventures infringe third‑party patents. The Company has not made any indemnification payments under any such agreements. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, no amounts have been accrued in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees.
	Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
	The following tables summarize the Company’s contractual cash obligations, commitments and off-balance sheet arrangements at December 28, 2014, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in future periods.
	Contractual Obligations. Contractual cash obligations and commitments as of December 28, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
			Total				1 Year (Fiscal 2015)				2 – 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)			4 – 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)		More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
	Facility and other operating leases		$	65,416			$	15,166			$	21,062		$	15,509	$	13,679
	Flash Partners(1)		661,820			(5)(6)	206,713				256,768			157,159		41,180
	Flash Alliance(1)		1,656,655			(5)(6)	655,083				599,075			360,615		41,882
	Flash Forward(1)		905,736			(5)(6)	302,332				351,883			189,082		62,439
	Toshiba research and development		39,298			(5)	39,298				—			—		—
	1.5% Notes due 2017 principal and interest(2)		1,041,644				14,954				1,026,690			—		—
	0.5% Notes due 2020 principal and interest(3)		1,545,000				7,500				15,000			15,000		1,507,500
	Noncancelable production purchase commitments(4)		241,663			(5)	241,663				—			—		—
Capital equipment purchase commitments(7)		125,856				125,744				112			—		—
Operating expense commitments(8)		43,251				42,911				340			—		—
Total contractual cash obligations		$	6,326,339			$	1,651,364			$	2,270,930		$	737,365	$	1,666,680
(1)	Includes reimbursement for depreciation and lease payments on owned and committed equipment, funding commitments for loans and equity investments and reimbursement for other committed expenses. Funding commitments assume no additional operating lease guarantees; new operating lease guarantees can reduce funding commitments.
(2)	In August 2010, the Company issued and sold $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 1.5% Notes due 2017. As of December 28, 2014, $3.2 million aggregate principal amount was converted and settled. As of January 30, 2015, the Company had received additional conversion notices for a total of $46 thousand aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, for which conversion is expected to be completed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The Company will pay cash interest on the outstanding notes at an annual rate of 1.5%, payable semi-annually on August 15 and February 15 of each year until August 15, 2017.
(3)	In October 2013, the Company issued and sold $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 0.5% Notes due 2020. The Company will pay cash interest on the outstanding notes at an annual rate of 0.5%, payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year until October 15, 2020.
(4)	Includes Flash Ventures, related party vendors and other silicon source vendor purchase commitments.
(5)	Includes amounts denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, which are subject to fluctuation in exchange rates prior to payment and have been translated using the exchange rate at December 28, 2014.
(6)	Excludes amounts related to the master lease agreements’ purchase option exercise price at final lease term.
(7)	Excludes $119.2 million in capital expenditures not yet paid in cash.
(8)	Excludes amounts in accounts payable and accrued liabilities not yet paid in cash.
The Company has excluded $132.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits (which includes penalties and interest) from the contractual obligation table above due to the uncertainty with respect to the timing of associated future cash flows at December 28, 2014. The Company is unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. Off-balance sheet arrangements were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,
		2014
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)		$	550,964
Guarantee of asset purchase in Bangalore, India (2)		25,483
(1)	The Company’s guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 66.4 billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551 million based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014.
(2)	The Company is committed to purchase land and a building shell in Bangalore, India, if the seller is able to obtain necessary third‑party and government approvals by June 1, 2015.  The Company’s purchase obligation was approximately $25 million based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014.  The Company is currently making building improvements on the facility and has received a bank guarantee of up to approximately $17 million, based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014, from the seller to refund its building improvement expenditures if the purchase obligation expires unexercised.
The Company leases many of its office facilities and operating equipment for various terms under long-term, noncancelable operating lease agreements. The leases expire at various dates from fiscal year 2015 through fiscal year 2026. Future minimum lease payments are presented below (in thousands):
		Future minimum lease payments
Fiscal year:
2015		$	15,731
2016		11,404
2017		9,804
2018		8,708
2019 and thereafter		20,480
Operating leases, gross		66,127
Sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases		(711		)
Operating leases, net		$	65,416
Net rent expense was as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal years ended
	December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
	2014				2013				2012
Rent expense, net	$	13,022			$	6,473			$	6,366

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_

Related Parties and Strategic Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Parties and Strategic Investments	Related Parties and Strategic Investments
	Flash Ventures with Toshiba. The Company owns 49.9% of each entity within Flash Ventures and accounts for its ownership position under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s obligations with respect to Flash Ventures’ master lease agreements, take-or-pay supply arrangements and R&D cost sharing are described in Note 14, “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees.” The financial and other support provided by the Company in all periods presented was either contractually required or the result of a joint decision to expand wafer capacity, transition to new technologies or refinance existing equipment lease commitments. Entities within Flash Ventures are VIEs. The Company evaluated whether it is the primary beneficiary of any of the entities within Flash Ventures for all periods presented and determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of any of the entities within Flash Ventures because it does not have a controlling financial interest in any of those entities. In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company analyzed the primary purpose and design of Flash Ventures, the activities that most significantly impact Flash Ventures’ economic performance, and whether the Company had the power to direct those activities. The Company concluded, based upon its 49.9% ownership, the voting structure and the manner in which the day-to-day operations are conducted for each entity within Flash Ventures, that the Company lacked the power to direct most of the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of each entity within Flash Ventures.
	The Company purchased NAND flash memory wafers from Flash Ventures and made prepayments, investments and loans to Flash Ventures, totaling $1.91 billion, $1.87 billion and $2.71 billion during the fiscal years ended December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectively. The Company received loan repayments from Flash Ventures of $231.4 million, $124.8 million and $511.3 million during the fiscal years ended December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectively. At December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company had accounts payable balances due to Flash Ventures of $136.1 million and $146.0 million, respectively.
	The Company’s maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate at each respective balance sheet date, as a result of its involvement with Flash Ventures, is presented below (in millions). Flash Ventures’ investments are denominated in Japanese yen and the maximum possible loss exposure excludes any cumulative translation adjustment due to revaluation from the Japanese yen to the U.S. dollar.
		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013
	Notes receivable	$	467	$	593
	Equity investments	496		541
	Operating lease guarantees	551		492
	Prepayments	—		5
	Maximum estimable loss exposure	$	1,514	$	1,631
	As of both December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company’s retained earnings included undistributed earnings of Flash Ventures of $8.1 million.
	The following summarizes the aggregated financial information for Flash Ventures, which includes both the Company and Toshiba’s portions (in millions).
		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013
		(Unaudited)
	Current assets	$	494	$	631
	Property, plant, equipment, net and other assets	2,602		2,802
	Total assets	$	3,096	$	3,433
	Current liabilities	$	1,160	$	1,144
	Long-term liabilities	934		1,186
	The following summarizes the aggregated financial information for Flash Ventures, which includes both the Company and Toshiba’s portions, for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in millions). Flash Ventures’ year-ends are March 31, with quarters ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
		(Unaudited)
	Net sales(1)	$	3,296	$	3,589	$	4,787
	Gross profit	18		31		8
	Net income (loss)	—		28		(15		)
	(1)	Net sales represent sales to both the Company and Toshiba.
	Solid State Storage Solutions, Inc. Solid State Storage Solutions, Inc. (“S4”) is a venture with third parties to license IP. S4 qualifies as a VIE. The Company is considered the primary beneficiary of S4 and the Company consolidates S4 in its Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented. The Company considered multiple factors in determining it was the primary beneficiary, including its overall involvement with the venture, contributions and participation in operating activities. S4’s assets and liabilities were not material to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013.

Stockholders_Rights_Plan

Stockholders Rights Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013
Stockholders Rights Plan [Abstract]
Stockholders Rights Plan	Stockholders’ Rights Plan
	On September 15, 2003, the Company amended its existing stockholder rights plan to terminate the rights issued under that rights plan, and the Company adopted a new rights plan. Under the new rights plan, rights were distributed as a dividend at the rate of one right for each share of common stock of the Company held by stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 25, 2003. In November 2006, the Company extended the term of the rights plan, such that the rights will expire on April 28, 2017 unless redeemed or exchanged. Under the new rights agreement and after giving effect to the Company’s stock dividend effected on February 18, 2004, each right will, under the circumstances described below, entitle the registered holder to buy one (1) two-hundredths of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for $225.00. The rights will become exercisable only if a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Company’s common stock or commences a tender offer or exchange offer upon consummation of which such person or group would beneficially own 15% or more of the Company’s common stock.

Business_Acquisition

Business Acquisition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisition	Business Acquisitions
	The Consolidated Financial Statements include the operating results of the acquired businesses described below from the respective dates of acquisition. Pro forma results of operations have not been presented as the prior-period financial results of the acquired businesses are not considered material to the Company. None of the goodwill was deductible for tax purposes.
	Fusion‑io, Inc. On July 23, 2014, the Company acquired 100% of Fusion‑io, a leading developer of flash-based, Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (“PCIe”) hardware and software solutions that enhance application performance in enterprise and hyperscale data centers. The Company expects this acquisition to accelerate its efforts to enable the flash-transformed data center, helping companies better manage increasingly heavy data workloads at a lower total cost of ownership. The total aggregate consideration to acquire Fusion-io was $1.26 billion and comprised of the following (in thousands):
		Purchase Price
	Cash consideration	$	1,256,502
	Fair value of assumed equity attributed to pre-combination service	7,041
	Total purchase price	$	1,263,543
	The total aggregate consideration net of cash assumed was $1.07 billion.
	The Company assumed all of Fusion‑io’s outstanding unvested stock option awards with an exercise price less than or equal to the acquisition price of $11.25 per share and unvested RSU awards. The assumed unvested stock options converted into 427,388 options to purchase the Company’s common stock and the assumed unvested RSUs converted into 445,072 RSU awards.
	The weighted-average fair value of the assumed unvested stock option awards was $35.02 and was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model and included the following assumptions:
	Dividend yield	1.14%
	Expected volatility	0.32
	Risk-free interest rate	1.00%
	Weighted average expected life	2.6 years
	The fair value of the assumed unvested RSU awards was based on the Company’s acquisition-date share value of $94.35 per share.
	The fair value of the assumed unvested stock option and RSU awards attributed to post-combination services of $49.9 million was not included in the consideration transferred and will be recognized over the awards’ remaining requisite service periods.
	The following table presents the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from, and goodwill attributed to, the Fusion‑io acquisition as of July 23, 2014, and reflects adjustments made during the open measurement period to finalize the purchase accounting (in thousands):
	Cash	$	190,336
	Accounts receivable, net	67,666
	Inventory	76,780
	Deferred tax asset, net	54,490
	Finite-lived intangible assets	382,000
	IPR&D	61,000
	Goodwill	513,398
	Other assets	30,498
	Other current liabilities	(94,016		)
	Other non-current liabilities	(18,609		)
	Total purchase price	$	1,263,543
	Goodwill in the table above was reduced by $29.3 million during the three months ended December 28, 2014 in connection with the finalization of the purchase accounting, due primarily to the recognition of deferred tax assets associated with the divestiture of the io‑Control product line of Fusion‑io. The divestiture of the product line was deemed immaterial to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
	The following table presents the fair value of the intangible assets acquired (in thousands):
		Weighted-Average		Fair Value
		Useful Lives
	Intangible assets:
	Developed technology	5 years		$	271,000
	Customer relationships	1.5 years		57,000
	Trademark and trade names	5 years		54,000
	IPR&D			61,000
	Total intangible assets acquired, excluding goodwill			$	443,000
	The initial weighted-average amortization period for the finite-lived intangible assets was 4.5 years. The intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are expected to be utilized. The goodwill resulted from expected synergies from the transaction, including complementary products that will enhance the Company’s overall product portfolio.
	In-process Research and Development. A portion of the Fusion‑io purchase price was allocated to acquired IPR&D. The value of the IPR&D project was determined by estimating the future net cash flows and by discounting them to their present values, which represents an established valuation technique in the high-technology computer industry.
	The net cash flows from the IPR&D project were based on estimates of revenues, costs of revenues, research and development expenses, including costs to complete the project, selling, marketing and administrative expenses, and income taxes from the project. The estimated net revenues and gross margins were based on projections of the project and were in line with industry averages. Estimated total net revenues from the project were expected to grow through fiscal year 2019 and to decline thereafter as other new technologies are expected to become available and the technology approaches the end of its life cycle. Estimated operating expenses included research and development expenses, which included costs to bring the project to technological feasibility and costs associated with ongoing maintenance after a product is released, as well as selling, marketing and administrative expenses based on historical and expected direct expenses. The Company believes the assumptions used in the valuation were reasonable at the time of the acquisition.
	The effective tax rate used in the analysis of the IPR&D project reflects the Company’s structural tax rate based on the Company’s historical operating model and related tax planning. A discount rate (the rate utilized to discount the net cash flows to their present values) of 17.5% was used in computing the present value of net cash flows for the project. The percentage of completion was determined using costs incurred by Fusion-io prior to the acquisition date compared to the estimated remaining research and development to be completed to bring the project to technological feasibility.
	Direct Acquisition-related Costs. Direct acquisition-related costs of $11.7 million during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014 were related to legal, banker, accounting and tax fees, of which $2.6 million were expensed to General and administrative expense in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014, and $9.1 million were expensed to Restructuring and other expense in the second half of fiscal year 2014 in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.
	SMART Storage Systems. On August 22, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of SMART Storage, a developer of enterprise solid state drives (“SSDs”). The Company expects this acquisition to enhance its enterprise storage product portfolio. The Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of SMART Storage through an all-cash transaction. The total aggregate consideration to acquire SMART Storage was $305.1 million and comprised of the following (in thousands):
		Purchase Price
	Cash consideration	$	304,982
	Fair value of assumed stock options attributed to pre-combination service	136
	Total purchase price	$	305,118
	The Company assumed all outstanding unvested SMART Storage stock option awards, which were converted into 183,069 options to purchase the Company’s common stock. The fair value of these unvested stock options was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model.
	The weighted-average fair value of the assumed unvested stock option awards was $41.15 and was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model and included the following assumptions:
	Dividend yield	1.60%
	Expected volatility	0.32
	Risk-free interest rate	0.33%
	Weighted average expected life	1.4 years
	The fair value of the assumed unvested stock option attributed to post-combination services of $6.8 million was not included in the consideration transferred and will be recognized over the awards’ remaining requisite service periods.
	The following table presents the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from, and goodwill attributed to, the SMART Storage acquisition as of August 22, 2013, and reflects adjustments made through the measurement period to finalize the purchase accounting (in thousands):
	Cash	$	1,423
	Accounts receivable, net	7,827
	Inventory	29,331
	Deferred taxes - current	921
	Other current assets	28,002
	Property and equipment	5,734
	Deferred taxes - non-current	3,338
	Finite-lived intangible assets	162,200
IPR&D	6,300
Goodwill	115,594
Other assets	149
Accounts payable	(11,746		)
Other current liabilities	(34,976		)
Other non-current liabilities	(8,979		)
Total purchase price	$	305,118
An existing $25.5 million liability that SMART Storage owed SMART Holdings, (the “Seller”), was not settled prior to the closing of the acquisition of SMART Storage in accordance with the purchase agreement. The Seller was contractually obligated to refund $25.5 million of the purchase price for this unsettled liability. As of December 29, 2013, the purchase price refund receivable and unsettled liability were recorded gross in Other current assets and Other current liabilities of the acquired tangible assets and liabilities of SMART Storage, respectively, as the Company did not have the legal right to offset. The Company settled the liability to the Seller and the Seller refunded the Company for the same amount in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014.
The following table presents the fair value of the intangible assets acquired (in thousands):
	Weighted-Average		Fair Value
	Useful Lives
Intangible assets:
Developed technology	4 years		$	146,100
Trademark and trade names	4 years		8,500
Customer relationships	2 years		7,600
IPR&D			6,300
Total intangible assets acquired, excluding goodwill			$	168,500
The initial weighted-average amortization period for the finite-lived intangible assets was 3.9 years. The intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are expected to be utilized. The goodwill resulted from expected synergies from the transaction, including the Company’s supply of NAND flash and complementary products that will enhance the Company’s overall product portfolio. The Company did not record a deferred tax liability due to certain tax incentives awarded by the Malaysian government.
Direct Acquisition-related Costs. Direct acquisition-related costs of $3.1 million during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013 were related to legal, regulatory and accounting fees, and were expensed to General and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Litigation

Litigation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Litigation	Litigation
	From time to time, the Company is involved in various litigation matters, including those described below, among others. The litigation proceedings in which the Company is involved from time to time may include matters such as IP, antitrust, commercial, labor, class action and insurance disputes. The semiconductor industry is characterized by significant litigation seeking to enforce patent and other IP rights. The Company has enforced, and likely will continue to enforce, its own IP rights through litigation and related proceedings.
	In each case listed below where the Company is the defendant, the Company intends to vigorously defend the action. At this time, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that losses related to the litigation described below have occurred beyond the amounts, if any, which have been accrued. However, legal discovery and litigation is highly unpredictable and future legal developments may cause current estimates to change in future periods.
	Patent Infringement and Antitrust Litigation With Round Rock Research LLC. On October 27, 2011, in response to infringement allegations by Round Rock Research LLC (“Round Rock”), the Company filed a lawsuit against Round Rock in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment that 12 Round Rock patents are invalid and/or not infringed by flash memory products sold by the Company. Round Rock has since withdrawn its infringement allegations as to eight of the patents. The parties filed several motions for summary judgment directed to various claims and defenses. On June 13, 2014, the Company won multiple summary judgment motions, which included a ruling that it did not infringe two of the remaining four patents based on patent exhaustion because its memories were purchased from an authorized licensee and other rulings limiting the potential damages from the other two patents. On July 3, 2014, Round Rock dismissed the two remaining patents in the case in order to appeal the court’s summary judgment rulings. The court entered final judgment on July 3, 2014. On July 23, 2014, Round Rock filed a notice of appeal.
	On May 3, 2012, Round Rock filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware alleging that the Company infringed eleven patents, and subsequently filed an amended complaint alleging that the Company’s infringement was willful. The parties agreed to dismiss one patent from this Delaware lawsuit that was also being litigated in the California case described above. On January 16, 2015, the court commenced a jury trial on liability issues as to two of the asserted patents. On January 28, 2015, the jury found that although the Company infringed four of ten claims asserted in the two patents, all of the asserted claims in those two patents are invalid. On February 4, 2015, the court issued an order granting summary judgment that five of the six asserted claims of another asserted patent are invalid.
	On March 19, 2014, the Company filed an action against Round Rock in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware for antitrust violations arising from Round Rock’s acquisition of patents from Micron Technology, Inc. (“Micron”) and demand for royalties that are not reasonable and non-discriminatory for alleged infringement of patents that Round Rock claims are standards-essential. The Company alleges that Round Rock violated the antitrust laws by conspiring with Micron and violating commitments that Micron made to the standards-setting organization, JEDEC Solid State Technology Association. The antitrust case has been stayed until after the January 2015 trial in the patent case.
	On December 3, 2014, Round Rock filed another action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware alleging that the Company infringed five patents, which patents are not at issue in the matters described above. The Company has not yet filed its response.
	Ritz Camera Federal Antitrust Class Action. On June 25, 2010, Ritz Camera & Image, LLC (“Ritz”) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (the “District Court”), alleging that the Company violated federal antitrust law by conspiring to monopolize and monopolizing the market for flash memory products. The lawsuit captioned Ritz Camera & Image, LLC v. SanDisk Corporation, Inc. and Eliyahou Harari, former SanDisk Corporation Chief Executive Officer, purports to be on behalf of direct purchasers of flash memory products sold by the Company and joint ventures controlled by the Company from June 25, 2006 through the present. The complaint alleges that the Company created and maintained a monopoly by fraudulently obtaining patents and using them to restrain competition and by allegedly converting other patents for its competitive use. On February 24, 2011, the District Court issued an Order granting in part and denying in part the Company’s motion to dismiss, which resulted in Dr. Harari being dismissed as a defendant. On September 19, 2011, the Company filed a petition for permission to file an interlocutory appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “Federal Circuit”) for the portion of the District Court’s Order denying the Company’s motion to dismiss based on Ritz’s lack of standing to pursue Walker Process antitrust claims. On October 27, 2011, the District Court administratively closed the case pending the Federal Circuit’s ruling on the Company’s petition. On November 20, 2012, the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s order denying SanDisk’s motion to dismiss. On December 2, 2012, the Federal Circuit issued its mandate returning the case to the District Court. On July 5, 2013, the District Court granted Ritz’s motion to substitute in Albert Giuliano, the Chapter 7 Trustee of the Ritz bankruptcy estate, as the plaintiff in this case. On October 1, 2013, the District Court granted the Trustee’s motion for leave to file a third amended complaint, which adds CPM Electronics Inc. and E.S.E. Electronics, Inc. as named plaintiffs. On September 19, 2014, the District Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file a fourth amended complaint, which adds a cause of action for attempted monopolization and adds MFLASH as a named plaintiff. The plaintiffs have filed a motion for class certification, which is fully briefed and has been taken under submission by the District Court. On February 3, 2015, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment as to all of the plaintiffs’ asserted claims. Trial is scheduled to begin on June 22, 2015.
	Samsung Federal Antitrust Action Against Panasonic and SD‑3C. On July 15, 2010, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (“Samsung”) filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (the “District Court”) alleging various claims against Panasonic Corporation and Panasonic Corporation of North America (collectively, “Panasonic”) and SD‑3C, LLC (“SD‑3C”) under federal antitrust law pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, and under California antitrust and unfair competition laws relating to the licensing practices and operations of SD‑3C. The complaint seeks an injunction against collection of Secure Digital (“SD”) card royalties, treble damages, restitution, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees, as well as a declaration that Panasonic and SD‑3C engaged in patent misuse and that the patents subject to such alleged misuse should be held unenforceable. The Company is not named as a defendant in this case, but it established SD‑3C along with Panasonic and Toshiba, and the complaint includes various factual allegations concerning the Company. As a member of SD‑3C, the Company may be responsible for a portion of any monetary award. Other requested relief, including an injunction or declaration of patent misuse, could result in a loss of revenue to the Company. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss on September 24, 2010, and Samsung filed a first amended complaint on October 14, 2010. On August 25, 2011, the District Court dismissed the patent misuse claim with prejudice but gave Samsung leave to amend its other claims. Samsung filed a second amended complaint on September 16, 2011. On January 3, 2012, the District Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss Samsung’s complaint without leave to amend. Samsung appealed. On April 4, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (the “Appeals Court”) issued a decision reversing the District Court’s dismissal on statute of limitations grounds and remanding the case to the District Court for further proceedings. The Appeals Court denied the defendants’ petition for rehearing and issued its mandate to send the case back to the District Court. On November 12, 2014, the defendants filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, which the U.S. Supreme Court subsequently denied. Samsung filed a third amended complaint on January 20, 2015.
	Federal Antitrust Class Action Against SanDisk, et al. On March 15, 2011, a putative class action captioned Oliver v. SD‑3C LLC, et al was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (the “District Court”) on behalf of a nationwide class of indirect purchasers of SD cards alleging various claims against the Company, SD‑3C, LLC (“SD‑3C”), Panasonic Corporation, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Toshiba and Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. under federal antitrust law pursuant to Section 1 of the Sherman Act, California antitrust and unfair competition laws, and common law. The complaint seeks an injunction of the challenged conduct, dissolution of “the cooperation agreements, joint ventures and/or cross-licenses alleged herein,” treble damages, restitution, disgorgement, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, and attorneys’ fees. The plaintiffs allege that the Company (along with the other members of SD‑3C) conspired to artificially inflate the royalty costs associated with manufacturing SD cards in violation of federal and California antitrust and unfair competition laws, which in turn allegedly caused the plaintiffs to pay higher prices for SD cards. The allegations are similar to, and incorporate by reference the complaint in the Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. v. Panasonic Corporation; Panasonic Corporation of North America; and SD‑3C LLC described above. On May 21, 2012, the District Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice. The plaintiffs appealed. On May 14, 2014, the appeals court issued a decision reversing the District Court’s dismissal on statute of limitations grounds and remanding the case to the District Court for further proceedings. The appeals court denied the defendants’ petition for rehearing and issued its mandate to send the case back to the District Court. On December 1, 2014, the defendants filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. On February 3, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint in the District Court.
	Trade Secret Litigation Against SK hynix Inc., et al. On March 13, 2014, the Company filed a civil action in Santa Clara Superior Court in California against SK hynix Inc. (“Hynix”) and certain related entities for trade secret misappropriation arising from the theft of trade secrets by a former employee of the Company and the defendants’ wrongful receipt and use of such information. The lawsuit seeks damages, an injunction and other remedies. Additionally, in March 2014, SanDisk submitted a criminal complaint to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department against the former employee. On April 3, 2014, the former employee was indicted by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor’s Office for theft of trade secrets. The former employee’s criminal trial was held on January 20, 2015 and January 21, 2015, and a decision by the court is expected in March 2015.
	In June 2014, the Company moved for a preliminary injunction requiring Hynix to stop using any of the Company’s information received from the former employee and to return stolen Company material. On July 1, 2014, the court issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Hynix from using or disclosing trade secret information that originated from materials taken by the former employee and ordering Hynix to provide certain information to the Company’s counsel to facilitate the identification of those documents taken by the former employee that are in Hynix’s possession. The order does not preclude Hynix from continuing to sell NAND flash products that it has already qualified for commercial sale. Hynix has filed a notice of appeal of the court’s preliminary injunction and also moved to stay enforcement of the order pending the appeal. On July 16, 2014, the court denied Hynix’s motion with respect to the portion of the order prohibiting use or disclosure of the trade secret information, but granted the motion to stay with respect to the other portion of the order. On November 6, 2014, Hynix removed the case to federal court. On December 8, 2014, the Company filed a motion to remand the case to state court.
	Federal Securities Class Action Against Fusion‑io et al. Beginning on November 19, 2013, Fusion‑io and certain of its officers were named in three putative class action lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Denenberg v. Fusion‑io, Inc. et al.; Miami Police Relief & Pension Fund v. Fusion‑io, Inc. et al.; Marriott v. Fusion‑io, Inc. et al.). Two of the complaints are allegedly brought on behalf of a class of purchasers of Fusion‑io’s common stock between August 10, 2012 and October 23, 2013, and one is brought on behalf of a purported class of purchasers between January 25, 2012 and October 23, 2013. The complaints generally allege violations of the federal securities laws arising out of alleged misstatements or omissions by the defendants during the alleged class periods. The complaints seek, among other things, compensatory damages and attorneys’ fees and costs on behalf of the putative class. On June 10, 2014, the Court consolidated the cases, appointed a lead plaintiff, and ordered the plaintiffs to file an amended consolidated complaint. On August 6, 2014, a consolidated amended complaint was filed on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of Fusion‑io common stock between October 25, 2012 and October 23, 2013, inclusive. The consolidated complaint generally alleges violations of the federal securities laws arising out of alleged misstatements or omissions by the defendants during the alleged class period and seeks, among other things, compensatory damages and attorneys’ fees and costs on behalf of the putative class. On September 22, 2014, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss, which is fully briefed and has been taken under submission by the court.

Supplementary_Financial_Data_N

Supplementary Financial Data (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Supplementary Financial Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information	Supplementary Financial Data (Unaudited)
		Fiscal quarters ended
		March 30,		June 29,		September 28,		December 28,
		2014		2014		2014		2014
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	2014
	Revenue	$	1,511,945	$	1,634,011	$	1,746,491	$	1,735,254
	Gross profit	751,290		759,650		817,138		739,770
	Operating income	425,174		416,656		387,794		328,310
	Net income	268,948		273,946		262,661		201,891
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.19	$	1.21	$	1.18	$	0.93
	Diluted	$	1.14	$	1.14	$	1.09	$	0.86
	Dividends declared per share	$	0.225	$	0.225	$	0.3	$	0.3
		Fiscal quarters ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 29,		December 29,
		2013		2013		2013		2013
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	2013
	Revenue	$	1,340,729	$	1,476,263	$	1,625,153	$	1,727,858
	Gross profit	531,516		676,819		801,993		857,155
	Operating income	253,791		392,558		408,448		507,413
	Net income	166,229		261,789		276,859		337,780
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.69	$	1.08	$	1.2	$	1.5
	Diluted	$	0.68	$	1.06	$	1.18	$	1.45
	Dividends declared per share	$	—	$	—	$	0.225	$	0.225

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si1

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Nature of Operations, Policy	Organization and Nature of Operations. SanDisk Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on June 1, 1988. The Company designs, develops, markets and manufactures data storage solutions in a variety of form factors using its flash memory, controller and firmware technologies. The Company operates in one segment, flash memory storage products.
Basis of Presentation, Policy	Basis of Presentation. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 consisted of 52 weeks, while fiscal year 2015 will include 53 weeks with 14 weeks in the fourth fiscal quarter. Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified in the footnotes to conform to the current-period presentation, including line items within other current and non-current assets and liabilities, and warranties in Note 5, “Balance Sheet Information.” For accounting and disclosure purposes, the exchange rate used to convert Japanese yen to the United States (“U.S.”) dollar for fiscal years ended December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 was 120.44, 104.94 and 85.99, respectively. Throughout the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, unless otherwise indicated, references to Net income refer to Net income attributable to common stockholders.
Consolidation, Policy	Principles of Consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Non-controlling interest represents the minority stockholders’ proportionate share of the net assets and results of operations of the Company’s majority-owned subsidiaries. The Consolidated Financial Statements also include the results of companies acquired by the Company from the date of each acquisition.
Use of Estimates, Policy	Use of Estimates. The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to customer programs and incentives, intellectual property (“IP”) claims, product returns, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories and inventory valuation, valuation and impairments of marketable securities and investments, valuation and impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets, income taxes, warranty obligations, restructurings, contingencies, share­‑based compensation and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that its management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities when those values are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition, Policy	Revenue Recognition, Sales Returns and Allowances and Sales Incentive Programs. The Company recognizes revenue when the earnings process is complete, as evidenced by an agreement with the customer, transfer of title and acceptance, if applicable, pricing is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is generally recognized at the time of shipment or transfer of title for customers not eligible for price protection and/or a right of return. Sales made to distributors and retailers are generally under agreements allowing price protection and/or a right of return and, therefore, the revenue and related costs of these transactions are deferred until the retailers or distributors sell-through the merchandise to their end customer or their rights of return expire. Estimated sales returns are recorded as a reduction to revenue and deferred revenue and were not material for any period presented in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The cost of shipping products to customers is included in cost of revenue. The Company recognizes expenses related to sales commissions in the period in which the commissions are earned.
	For multiple-element arrangements that include support or software elements, the Company analyzes whether tangible products containing software and non-software components function together and therefore should be excluded from industry-specific software revenue recognition guidance. The Company allocates revenue to each element, or the software elements as a group, based on the relative selling price determined in accordance with the Company’s normal pricing and discounting practices for the specific element when sold separately for all multiple-element arrangements. Multiple-element arrangements and arrangements that include software have not been significant to the Company’s revenue and operating results.
	Revenue from patent licensing arrangements is recognized when earned, estimable and realizable. The timing of revenue recognition is dependent on the terms of each license agreement and on the timing of sales of licensed products. The Company generally recognizes royalty revenue when it is reported to the Company by its licensees, which is generally one quarter in arrears from the licensees’ sales of licensed products. For licensing fees that are not determined by the number of licensed units sold, the Company recognizes license fee revenue on a straight-line basis over the life of the license.
	The Company records estimated reductions of revenue for customer and distributor incentive programs and offerings, including price protection, promotions, co-op advertising and other volume-based incentives and expected returns. All sales incentive programs are recorded as an offset to revenue or deferred revenue. Marketing development programs are recorded as a reduction to revenue.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Accounts receivable include amounts owed by geographically dispersed distributors, retailers and original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) customers. No collateral is required. Provisions are provided for sales returns and credit losses.
	The Company estimates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, customer credit ratings and historical experience. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company (e.g., bankruptcy filings or substantial downgrading of credit ratings), the Company provides allowances for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount it reasonably believes will be collected.
Income Tax, Policy	Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, but have not been reflected in the Company’s taxable income. The Company must evaluate the expected realization of its deferred tax assets and determine whether a valuation allowance needs to be established or released. In determining the need for and amount of a valuation allowance, the Company assesses the likelihood that it will be able to recover its deferred tax assets using historical levels of income, estimates of future income and tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance is established to the extent that the Company does not believe it is “more likely than not” that it will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is “more likely than not” the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy	Foreign Currency. The Company determines the functional currency for its parent company and each of its subsidiaries by reviewing the currencies in which their respective operating activities occur. Transaction gains and losses arising from activities in other than the applicable functional currency are calculated using average exchange rates for the applicable period and reported in net income as a non-operating item in each period. Non-monetary balance sheet items denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency are translated using the historical rate. The Company continuously evaluates its foreign currency exposures and may continue to enter into hedges or other risk mitigating arrangements in the future. Aggregate gross foreign currency transaction gain (loss) prior to consideration of the offsetting hedges recorded to income before taxes was $3.1 million, ($3.3) million and ($2.8) million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy	Cash Equivalents, Short and Long-Term Marketable Securities. Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid financial instruments with insignificant interest rate risk that are readily convertible to cash and have maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. Marketable securities with original maturities greater than three months from purchase date and remaining maturities less than one year are classified as short-term marketable securities. Marketable securities with remaining maturities greater than one year as of the balance sheet date are classified as long-term marketable securities. Short and long-term fixed income investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government-sponsored agency securities, international government securities, corporate notes and bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal notes and bonds. The fair market value of cash equivalents at December 28, 2014 approximated their carrying value. Cost of securities sold is based on specific identification.
	In determining if and when a decline in market value below cost of these investments is other-than-temporary, the Company evaluates both quantitative and qualitative information including the market conditions, offering prices, trends of earnings, price multiples and other key measures. For fixed income securities, only the decline attributable to deteriorating credit of an other-than-temporary impairment is taken to the Consolidated Statement of Operations, unless the Company intends, or “more likely than not” will be required, to sell the security.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy	Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from two to twenty-five years, or the remaining lease term, whichever is shorter.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy	Variable Interest Entities. The Company evaluates its equity method investments to determine whether any investee is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). If the Company concludes that an investee is a VIE, the Company evaluates its power to direct the activities of the investee, its obligation to absorb the expected losses of the investee and its right to receive the expected residual returns of the investee to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the investee. If the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Company consolidates such entity and reflects the non-controlling interest of other beneficiaries of that entity. If the Company concludes that an investee is not a VIE, the Company does not consolidate the investee.
Equity Method Investments, Policy	Equity Investments. The Company accounts for investments in equity securities of other entities, including VIEs that are not consolidated, under the cost method of accounting if investments in voting equity interests of the investee are less than 20%. The equity method of accounting is used if the Company’s investment in voting stock is greater than or equal to 20% but less than a majority. In considering the accounting method for investments less than 20%, the Company also considers other factors such as its ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee. If certain factors are present, the Company could account for investments for which it has less than a 20% ownership under the equity method of accounting.
	Investments in public companies with restrictions of less than one year are classified as available-for-sale and are adjusted to their fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Investments in public and non-public companies are reviewed on a quarterly basis to determine if their value has been impaired and adjustments are recorded as necessary. Upon disposition of these investments, the specific identification method is used to determine the cost basis in computing realized gains or losses. Declines in value that are judged to be other-than-temporary are reported in Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net, or Cost of revenue in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Inventory, Policy	Inventories and Inventory Valuation. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Market value is based upon an estimated average selling price reduced by estimated costs of disposal. Should actual market conditions differ from the Company’s estimates, the Company’s future results of operations could be materially affected. Reductions in inventory valuation are included in Cost of revenue in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Inventory impairment charges, when taken, permanently establish a new cost basis and are not subsequently reversed to income even if circumstances later suggest that increased carrying amounts are recoverable. Rather, these amounts are recognized in income only if, as and when the inventory is sold.
	The Company reduces the carrying value of its inventory to a new basis for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions, including assumptions about changes in average selling prices. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional reductions in inventory valuation may be required.
	The Company’s finished goods inventory includes consigned inventory held at customer locations as well as at third‑party fulfillment centers and subcontractors.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy	Other Long-Lived Assets. Intangible assets with finite useful lives and other long-lived assets are tested for impairment if certain impairment indicators are identified. The Company assesses the carrying value of long-lived assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these long-lived assets may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers important which could result in an impairment review include: (1) significant under-performance relative to the historical or projected future operating results; (2) significant changes in the manner of use of assets; (3) significant negative industry or economic trends; and (4) significant changes in the Company’s market capitalization relative to net book value. Any changes in key assumptions used by the Company, including those set forth above, could result in an impairment charge and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations.
Advertising Costs, Policy	Advertising Expenses. Marketing co-op development programs, where the Company receives, or will receive, an identifiable benefit (e.g., goods or services) in exchange for the amount paid to its customer and the Company can reasonably estimate the fair value of the benefit it receives for the customer incentive payment, are classified, when granted, as a marketing expense. Advertising expenses not meeting this criteria are classified as a reduction to revenue when the expense is incurred. Advertising expenses recorded as marketing expense were $27.9 million, $19.6 million and $16.2 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Research and Development Expense, Policy	Research and Development Expenses. Research and development (“R&D”) expenditures are expensed as incurred.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivative and Hedging Activities (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Derivatives, Policy	The Company recognizes derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value and provides qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. Changes in fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of the derivatives are recorded as cost of revenue, operating expense, other income (expense), or as other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Under certain provisions and conditions within agreements with counterparties to the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts, subject to applicable requirements, the Company has the right of set-off associated with the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts and is allowed to net settle transactions of the same currency with a single net amount payable by one party to the other. The Company does not offset or net the fair value amounts of derivative instruments in its Consolidated Balance Sheets and separately discloses the gross fair value amounts of the derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities.

Balance_Sheet_Information_Bala

Balance Sheet Information Balance Sheet Information (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy	The Company assesses financing receivable credit quality through financial and operational reviews of the borrower and creditworthiness, including credit rating agency ratings, of significant investors of the borrower, where material or known. Impairments, when required for credit worthiness, are recorded in other income (expense).

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	The Company’s total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities was as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	809,003		$	986,246
	Short-term marketable securities	1,455,509			1,919,611
	Long-term marketable securities	2,758,475			3,179,471
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	5,022,987		$	6,085,328
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	Financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following types of instruments (in thousands):
		December 28, 2014												December 29, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Money market funds	$	533,133		$	—		$	—		$	533,133		$	760,363	$	—	$	—		$	760,363
	Fixed income securities	25,162			4,213,599			—			4,238,761			160,194		4,985,059		—			5,145,253
	Derivative assets	—			4,800			—			4,800			—		777		—			777
	Total financial assets	$	558,295		$	4,218,399		$	—		$	4,776,694		$	920,557	$	4,985,836	$	—		$	5,906,393
	Derivative liabilities	$	—		$	8,224		$	—		$	8,224		$	—	$	45,859	$	—		$	45,859
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	8,224		$	—		$	8,224		$	—	$	45,859	$	—		$	45,859
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	Financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis were presented on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):
		December 28, 2014												December 29, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Cash equivalents(1)	$	533,133		$	24,777		$	—		$	557,910		$	773,435	$	33,099	$	—		$	806,534
	Short-term marketable securities	3,327			1,452,182			—			1,455,509			15,090		1,904,521		—			1,919,611
	Long-term marketable securities	21,835			2,736,640			—			2,758,475			132,032		3,047,439		—			3,179,471
	Other current assets	—			4,800			—			4,800			—		777		—			777
	Total financial assets	$	558,295		$	4,218,399		$	—		$	4,776,694		$	920,557	$	4,985,836	$	—		$	5,906,393
	Other current accrued liabilities	$	—		$	8,224		$	—		$	8,224		$	—	$	45,741	$	—		$	45,741
	Non-current liabilities	—			—			—			—			—		118		—			118
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	8,224		$	—		$	8,224		$	—	$	45,859	$	—		$	45,859
	(1)	Cash equivalents exclude cash holdings of $251.1 million and $179.7 million included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively.
Available for Sale Investments	Available-for-sale investments were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28, 2014												December 29, 2013
		Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gain			Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value			Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	25,194		$	—		$	(32	)	$	25,162		$	160,598	$	21	$	(424	)	$	160,195
	U.S. government-sponsored agency securities	7,511			—			(18		)	7,493			8,112		10		(1		)	8,121
	International government securities	82,033			—			(314		)	81,719			38,492		1		(224		)	38,269
	Corporate notes and bonds	774,869			325			(2,052		)	773,142			864,331		1,504		(1,565		)	864,270
	Asset-backed securities	171,221			42			(353		)	170,910			226,620		114		(170		)	226,564
	Mortgage-backed securities	48,378			6			(173		)	48,211			86,542		18		(554		)	86,006
	Municipal notes and bonds	3,124,189			9,733			(1,798		)	3,132,124			3,744,138		18,931		(1,241		)	3,761,828
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	4,233,395		$	10,106		$	(4,740	)	$	4,238,761		$	5,128,833	$	20,599	$	(4,179	)	$	5,145,253
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized loss position	The fair value and gross unrealized losses on the available-for-sale securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, aggregated by type of investment instrument, and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 28, 2014, are summarized in the following table (in thousands). Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position have been excluded from the table.
		Less than 12 months						Greater than 12 months
		Fair Value			Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized Loss
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	25,162		$	(32	)	$	—		$	—
	U.S. government-sponsored agency securities	7,394			(18		)	—			—
	International government securities	81,719			(314		)	—			—
	Corporate notes and bonds	586,903			(2,046		)	2,494			(6		)
	Asset-backed securities	137,007			(353		)	—			—
	Mortgage-backed securities	31,954			(132		)	9,518			(41		)
	Municipal notes and bonds	709,505			(1,796		)	4,453			(2		)
	Total	$	1,579,644		$	(4,691	)	$	16,465		$	(49	)
Gross realized gains and (losses) on sales of available-for-sale securities	The following table shows the realized gains and (losses) on sales of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	Realized gains	$	8,918		$	4,724		$	3,867
	Realized losses	(1,375		)	(2,349		)	(898		)
	Net realized gains	$	7,543		$	2,375		$	2,969
Fixed income securities by contractual maturity	Fixed income securities by contractual maturity as of December 28, 2014 are shown below (in thousands). Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay obligations or the Company has the option to demand payment.
		Amortized Cost			Fair Value
	Due in one year or less	$	860,203		$	861,915
	After one year through five years	2,603,444			2,606,289
	After five years through ten years	122,637			122,643
	After ten years	647,111			647,914
	Total	$	4,233,395		$	4,238,761
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices	For those financial instruments where the carrying amounts differ from fair value, the following table (in thousands) represents the related carrying values and fair values, which are based on quoted market prices. The 1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 were categorized as Level 1 and the 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 were categorized as Level 2, based on the frequency of trading as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013. See Note 7, “Financing Arrangements,” regarding details of each convertible note presented.
		December 28, 2014						December 29, 2013
		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
	1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017	$	869,645		$	1,948,721		$	829,792		$	1,467,160
	0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020	1,199,696			1,789,500			1,155,571			1,480,290
	Total	$	2,069,341		$	3,738,221		$	1,985,363		$	2,947,450

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	As of December 28, 2014, the notional amount and unrealized loss on the effective portion of the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts to purchase Japanese yen that are designated as cash flow hedges are shown in both Japanese yen (in billions) and U.S. dollar (in thousands), based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014, as follows:
		Notional Amount						Unrealized Loss
		(Japanese yen)			(U.S. dollar)			(U.S. dollar)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	¥	12.5		$	103,826		$	(1,472	)
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	Gross fair value of derivative contracts was as follows (in thousands):
		Derivative assets reported in
		Other Current Assets						Other Non-current Assets
		December 28,			December 29,			December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	$	4,800		$	777		$	—		$	—
		Derivative liabilities reported in
		Other Current Accrued Liabilities						Non-current Liabilities
		December 28,			December 29,			December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	$	1,472		$	38,375		$	—		$	118
	Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	6,752			7,366			—			—
	Total derivatives	$	8,224		$	45,741		$	—		$	118
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The impact of the effective portion of designated cash flow derivative contracts on the Company’s results of operations was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		Amount of loss									Amount of loss reclassified
		recognized in OCI									from AOCI to earnings
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,			December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(99	)	$	(74,834	)	$	(38,197	)	$	(25,418	)	$	(41,523	)	$	(10,946	)
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Ineffective Portion And Amount Excluded From Effectiveness Testing Net	The following table presents the forward points on foreign exchange contracts excluded for the purposes of cash flow hedging designation recognized in other income (expense) (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(1,134	)	$	(1,201	)	$	(6,630	)
Effect Of Non-designated Derivative Contracts	The effect of non-designated derivative contracts on the Company’s results of operations recognized in other income (expense) was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	Gain (loss) on foreign exchange forward contracts including forward point income	$	(5,627	)	$	1,427		$	9,025
	Gain (loss) from revaluation of foreign currency exposures hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts	7,998			(4,460		)	(3,511		)

Balance_Sheet_Information_Tabl

Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, net	Accounts receivable, net was as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Accounts receivable	$	1,134,254			$	904,551
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(9,622		)		(8,274		)
	Promotions, price protection and other activities	(282,156		)		(213,468		)
	Total accounts receivable, net	$	842,476			$	682,809
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	8,274			$	6,627			$	5,717
	Additions charged to costs and expenses	857				2,167				1,452
	Allowance adjustment	1,272				—				—
	Deductions/write-offs	(781		)		(520		)		(542		)
	Balance, end of year	$	9,622			$	8,274			$	6,627
Inventory	Inventory was as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Raw material	$	369,860			$	440,570
	Work-in-process	138,594				102,543
	Finished goods	189,557				213,862
	Total inventory	$	698,011			$	756,975
Other Current Assets	Other current assets were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Income tax receivables	$	18,579			$	7,976
	Other tax-related receivables	84,432				62,784
	Other non-trade receivables	69,033				37,368
	Prepaid expenses	18,579				12,630
	Other current assets	24,369				46,127
	Total other current assets	$	214,992			$	166,885
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property and equipment were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Machinery and equipment	$	1,318,454			$	1,148,150
	Furniture and fixtures	24,090				20,481
	Software	191,900				171,733
	Buildings and building improvements	338,412				261,471
	Leasehold improvements	26,525				6,559
	Land	24,427				24,427
	Capital land lease	12,827				6,644
	Property and equipment, at cost	1,936,635				1,639,465
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,212,278		)		(983,671		)
	Property and equipment, net	$	724,357			$	655,794
Notes Receivable and Investments in the Flash Ventures with Toshiba	Notes receivable and investments in Flash Partners Ltd., Flash Alliance Ltd. and Flash Forward Ltd. (collectively referred to as “Flash Ventures”) were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Notes receivable, Flash Partners Ltd.	$	12,454			$	100,057
	Notes receivable, Flash Alliance Ltd.	292,677				323,995
	Notes receivable, Flash Forward Ltd.	161,906				169,144
	Investment in Flash Partners Ltd.	167,102				190,694
	Investment in Flash Alliance Ltd.	249,459				283,999
	Investment in Flash Forward Ltd.	79,219				66,731
	Total notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	$	962,817			$	1,134,620
Other Noncurrent Assets	Other non-current assets were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Prepaid tax on intercompany transactions	$	33,375			$	37,747
	Long-term prepaid income tax	—				66,176
	Other non-current assets	75,302				63,507
	Total other non-current assets	$	108,677			$	167,430
Other Current Accrued Liabilities	Other current accrued liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Accrued payroll and related expenses	$	233,702			$	227,779
	Taxes payable	74,079				59,618
	Derivative contract payables	8,224				45,741
	Other current accrued liabilities	190,288				176,594
	Total other current accrued liabilities	$	506,293			$	509,732
Noncurrent liabilities	Non-current liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Income tax liabilities	$	132,320			$	205,266
	Deferred revenue	31,066				35,346
	Deferred tax liabilities	22,360				3,482
	Other non-current liabilities	59,808				62,989
	Total non-current liabilities	$	245,554			$	307,083
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	The liability for warranty expense is included in Other current accrued liabilities and Non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the activity was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	43,624			$	38,787			$	26,957
	Additions and adjustments to cost of revenue	21,315				33,400				33,247
	Warranty liability assumed from acquisition	3,794				2,363				—
	Usage	(20,178		)		(30,926		)		(21,417		)
	Balance, end of year	$	48,555			$	43,624			$	38,787
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	AOCI presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, foreign currency translation and hedging activities, net of tax, for all periods presented (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Accumulated net unrealized gain (loss) on:
	Available-for-sale investments	$	3,359			$	10,479
	Foreign currency translation	(197,252		)		(47,440		)
	Hedging activities	(14,179		)		(39,498		)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(208,072	)		$	(76,459	)
Allocation Of Amount Of Income Tax Benefit Expense	The amount of income tax benefit allocated to the unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation activities was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Available-for-sale investments	$	(3,934	)		$	(3,383	)		$	3,121
	Foreign currency translation	(4,163		)		(38,006		)		(23,791		)
	Total income tax benefit allocated	$	(8,097	)		$	(41,389	)		$	(20,670	)
Reclassification Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Amounts	The significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI were as follows (in thousands):
			Fiscal years ended
	AOCI Component		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,			Statement of Operations
			2014				2013				2012			Line Item
	Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments		$	7,543			$	2,375			$	2,969		Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net
	Tax impact		(2,677		)		(1,122		)		(1,051		)	Provision for income taxes
	Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments, net of tax		4,866				1,253				1,918
	Unrealized holding loss on derivatives:
	Foreign exchange contracts		(24,142		)		(41,523		)		(10,946		)	Cost of revenue
	Foreign exchange contracts		(1,276		)		—				—			Research and development
	Loss on cash flow hedging activities		(25,418		)		(41,523		)		(10,946		)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(20,552	)		$	(40,270	)		$	(9,028	)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill balances and activity were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of year	$	318,111		$	201,735
	Acquisition	513,398			115,775
	Adjustment	(181		)	601
	Balance, end of year	$	831,328		$	318,111
Intangible Assets	Intangible asset balances were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28, 2014
		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Developed product technology	$	568,744		$	(209,478	)	$	359,266
	Customer relationships	64,600			(21,009		)	43,591
	Trademarks and trade names	62,500			(7,395		)	55,105
	Acquisition-related intangible assets	695,844			(237,882		)	457,962
	Technology licenses and patents	102,000			(78,611		)	23,389
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	797,844			(316,493		)	481,351
	Acquired in-process research and development	61,000			—			61,000
	Total intangible assets	$	858,844		$	(316,493	)	$	542,351
		December 29, 2013
		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Impairment			Net Carrying Amount
	Developed product technology	$	348,385		$	(121,304	)	$	(44,216	)	$	182,865
	Customer relationships	20,650			(14,426		)	—			6,224
	Trademarks	14,200			(3,634		)	(2,812		)	7,754
	Covenants not to compete	3,100			(2,959		)	—			141
	Acquisition-related intangible assets	386,335			(142,323		)	(47,028		)	196,984
	Technology licenses and patents	133,909			(89,289		)	—			44,620
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	520,244			(231,612		)	(47,028		)	241,604
	Acquired in-process research and development	42,500			—			(36,200		)	6,300
	Total intangible assets	$	562,744		$	(231,612	)	$	(83,228	)	$	247,904
Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets	The annual expected amortization expense of intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 28, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		Acquisition-related Intangible Assets			Technology Licenses and Patents
	Fiscal year:
	2015	$	152,375		$	20,056
	2016	109,971			3,333
	2017	90,916			—
	2018	66,260			—
	2019	38,440			—
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$	457,962		$	23,389

Financing_Arrangements_Tables

Financing Arrangements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Debt Instrument
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	The following table reflects the carrying values of the Company’s convertible debt (in thousands):
		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	1.5% Notes due 2017	$	996,788		$	1,000,000
	Less: Unamortized bond discount	(127,143		)	(170,208		)
	Net carrying amount of 1.5% Notes due 2017	869,645			829,792
	0.5% Notes due 2020	1,500,000			1,500,000
	Less: Unamortized bond discount	(300,304		)	(344,429		)
	Net carrying amount of 0.5% Notes due 2020	1,199,696			1,155,571
	Total convertible debt	2,069,341			1,985,363
	Less: Convertible short-term debt	(869,645		)	—
	Convertible long-term debt	$	1,199,696		$	1,985,363
1% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Interest cost recognized for Convertible notes	The following table presents the amount of interest cost recognized relating to the contractual interest coupon, amortization of bond issuance costs and amortization of the bond discount on the liability component of the 1% Notes due 2013 that was settled upon maturity in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 29,			December 30,
		2013			2012
	Contractual interest coupon	$	3,481		$	9,280
	Amortization of bond issuance costs	1,013			2,783
	Amortization of bond discount	21,022			53,599
	Total interest cost recognized	$	25,516		$	65,662
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Interest cost recognized for Convertible notes	The following table presents the amount of interest cost recognized relating to the contractual interest coupon, amortization of bond issuance costs and amortization of the bond discount on the liability component of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	Contractual interest coupon	$	14,984		$	15,000		$	15,000
	Amortization of bond issuance costs	2,666			2,667			2,666
	Amortization of bond discount	41,848			39,095			36,364
	Total interest cost recognized	$	59,498		$	56,762		$	54,030
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument
Interest cost recognized for Convertible notes	The following table presents the amount of interest cost recognized relating to the contractual interest coupon, amortization of bond issuance costs and amortization of the bond discount on the liability component of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 (in thousands):
			Fiscal years ended
			December 28, 2014			December 29,
						2013
	Contractual interest coupon		$	7,500		$	1,271
	Amortization of bond issuance costs		2,551			439
	Amortization of bond discount		43,527			7,486
	Total interest cost recognized		$	53,578		$	9,196

Concentration_of_Risk_and_Segm1

Concentration of Risk and Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	Revenue by geographic areas for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	United States	$	1,136,284	$	877,759	$	714,293
	China	2,026,122		1,887,207		1,195,617
	Taiwan	864,461		958,705		981,801
	Other Asia-Pacific	1,464,720		1,363,927		1,290,291
	Europe, Middle East and Africa	814,817		780,079		642,494
	Other foreign countries	321,297		302,326		228,013
	Total	$	6,627,701	$	6,170,003	$	5,052,509
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]	Long-lived assets by geographic area were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013
	United States	$	314,578	$	313,959
	Japan	503,234		553,318
	China	283,533		299,704
	Other foreign countries	150,918		47,070
	Total	$	1,252,263	$	1,214,051

Equity_and_ShareBased_Compensa

Equity and Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Dividends Declared	During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared the following dividends:
	Declaration Date		Dividend per Share				Record Date		Total Amount Declared				Payment Date
									(In millions)
	January 21, 2014		$	0.225			February 3, 2014		$	51.7			February 24, 2014
	April 15, 2014		0.225				May 5, 2014		52				May 27, 2014
	July 15, 2014		0.3				August 4, 2014		68.5				August 25, 2014
	October 15, 2014		0.3				November 3, 2014		67.5				November 24, 2014
Fair value of stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members and ESPP shares granted to employees	The fair value of the Company’s stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members, excluding unvested stock options assumed through acquisitions, was estimated using the following annual weighted-average assumptions:
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Dividend yield	1.14% - 1.42%		0% - 1.65%		—%
	Expected volatility	0.32		0.37		0.43
	Risk-free interest rate	1.22%		0.74%		0.60%
	Expected term	4.4 years		4.4 years		4.3 years
	Estimated annual forfeiture rate	8.79%		8.51%		8.59%
	Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$18.96		$16.26		$16.45
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of shares issued under the Company’s ESPP program was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Dividend yield	1.14% - 1.25%		0% - 1.65%		—%
	Expected volatility	0.31		0.34		0.41
	Risk-free interest rate	0.07%		0.11%		0.15%
	Expected term	½ year		½ year		½ year
	Weighted-average fair value at purchase date	$19.39		$13.08		$11.87
Stock options and stock appreciation rights	A summary of stock option and SARs activities under all of the Company’s share‑based compensation plans as of December 28, 2014 and changes during the three fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 are presented below (in thousands, except for weighted-average exercise price and remaining contractual term):
		Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price				Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Options and SARs outstanding as of January 1, 2012	17,559			$	36.55			3.4		$	257,251
	Granted	2,336			46.49
	Exercised	(3,403	)		21.32						81,622
	Forfeited	(469	)		38.12
	Expired	(597	)		53.1
	Options and SARs outstanding as of December 30, 2012	15,426			40.73				3.2		109,411
	Granted	1,142			52.69
	Exercised	(7,362	)		35.53						163,992
	Forfeited	(433	)		43.72
	Expired	(2,363	)		60.7
	Options assumed through acquisition	183			19.37
	Options and SARs outstanding as of December 29, 2013	6,593			40.66				4.2		195,018
	Granted	1,032			76.82
	Exercised	(3,635	)		40.54						163,623
	Forfeited	(318	)		51.88
	Expired	(9	)		41.09
	Options assumed through acquisition	427			68.49
	Options and SARs outstanding as of December 28, 2014	4,090			51.94				4.5		202,044
	Options and SARs vested and expected to vest after December 28, 2014, net of forfeitures	3,864			51.23				4.4		193,621
	Options and SARs exercisable as of December 28, 2014	1,547			38.53				3.2		97,107
Summary of the changes in RSUs outstanding	A summary of the changes in RSUs outstanding under the Company’s share‑based compensation plans during the three fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 is presented below (in thousands, except for weighted-average grant date fair value):
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value				Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	Non-vested share units as of January 1, 2012	2,051			$	40.22			$	100,913
	Granted	1,840			45.04
	Vested	(646	)		47.75				29,479
	Forfeited	(227	)		42.85
	Assumed through acquisition	59			46.63
	Non-vested share units as of December 30, 2012	3,077			43.51				131,622
	Granted	2,665			53.99
	Vested	(950	)		41.97				50,268
	Forfeited	(338	)		46.93
	Non-vested share units as of December 29, 2013	4,454			49.87				221,457
	Granted	2,888			81.62
	Vested	(1,594	)		51.19				129,945
	Forfeited	(606	)		70.81
	Assumed through acquisition	445			94.35
	Non-vested share units as of December 28, 2014	5,587			67.18				375,366
Share-based compensation expense	The following tables set forth the detailed allocation of the share‑based compensation expense (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Share‑based compensation expense by caption:
	Cost of revenue	$	14,720			$	9,820			$	7,459
	Research and development	74,842				51,521				41,009
	Sales and marketing	35,972				19,193				14,585
	General and administrative	29,779				19,222				15,390
	Total share‑based compensation expense	155,313				99,756				78,443
	Total tax benefit recognized	(42,685		)		(28,183		)		(20,122		)
	Decrease in net income	$	112,628			$	71,573			$	58,321
	Share‑based compensation expense by type of award:
	Stock options	$	35,607			$	32,803			$	35,428
	RSUs	108,259				59,962				35,260
	ESPP	11,447				6,991				7,755
	Total share‑based compensation expense	155,313				99,756				78,443
	Total tax benefit recognized	(42,685		)		(28,183		)		(20,122		)
	Decrease in net income	$	112,628			$	71,573			$	58,321
Fair value of options and RSUs	The total grant date fair value of options and RSUs vested during the three fiscal years ended December 28, 2014 was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Options	$	37,986			$	36,703			$	37,674
	RSUs	81,619				39,885				24,327
	Total grant date fair value of vested options and RSUs	$	119,605			$	76,588			$	62,001

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate1

Restructuring and Other Related Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and other	During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, the Company recorded the following in Restructuring and other (in thousands):
	Restructuring costs	$	12,050
	Other costs	20,941
	Total restructuring and other	$	32,991
Restructuring and Related Costs	The following table sets forth an analysis of the components of the restructuring charge and payments made against the reserve as of December 28, 2014 (in thousands):
		Severance and Benefits			Other			Total
					Charges
	Accrual balance at December 29, 2013	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Charges	11,437			585			12,022
	Adjustments	33			(5		)	28
	Cash payments	(6,699		)	(25		)	(6,724		)
	Non-cash items	—			(515		)	(515		)
	Accrual balance at December 28, 2014	$	4,771		$	40		$	4,811

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Income Tax Contingency
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Text Block	The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	388,532			$	359,012			$	74,258
	State	12,404				9,972				(824		)
	Foreign	88,563				103,981				101,710
		489,499				472,965				175,144
	Deferred:
	Federal	10,544				27,328				45,383
	State	(13,250		)		2,645				1,634
	Foreign	(5,209		)		(29,446		)		(12,649		)
		(7,915		)		527				34,368
	Provision for income taxes	$	481,584			$	473,492			$	209,512
Income Loss Before Provision For Income Taxes Text Block	Income before provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	United States	$	1,319,528			$	1,436,470			$	518,509
	Foreign	169,502				79,679				108,407
	Total	$	1,489,030			$	1,516,149			$	626,916
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	185,250			$	179,522			$	185,826
	Additions:
	Tax positions related to current year	17,656				8,255				8,164
	Tax positions related to prior years	14,411				15,938				942
	Reductions:
	Tax positions related to prior years	(9,597		)		(1,737		)		(7,186		)
	Expiration of statute of limitations	(8,039		)		(7,419		)		(2,003		)
	Settlements with taxing authorities	(71,121		)		—				—
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,387		)		(9,309		)		(6,221		)
	Balance, end of year	$	125,173			$	185,250			$	179,522
Income Tax Expense and Effective Tax Rate	The Company’s provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rates to income before taxes as follows:
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,			December 29,			December 30,
		2014			2013			2012
	U.S. federal statutory rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	State taxes, net of federal benefit	0.8			0.6			0.3
	Non-deductible share-based compensation expense	1			0.5			1.3
	Valuation allowance	0.8			(0.1	)		0.2
	Tax-exempt interest income	(0.6	)		(0.7	)		(1.9	)
	Foreign earnings at other than U.S. rates	(2.2	)		(2.9	)		(1.2	)
	Settlements with tax authorities	(1.7	)		—			(0.6	)
	Other	(0.8	)		(1.2	)		0.3
	Effective income tax rates	32.3	%		31.2	%		33.4	%
Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Text Block	Significant components of the Company’s net deferred tax assets were as follows (in thousands):
		December 28,				December 29,
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Deferred income on shipments to distributors and retailers and deferred revenue recognized for tax purposes	$	65,002			$	68,117
	Accruals and reserves not currently deductible	98,342				63,236
	Depreciation and amortization not currently deductible	96,735				81,245
	Deductible share-based compensation	32,679				28,684
	Unrealized loss on investments	10,045				13,620
	Unrealized foreign exchange loss	10,357				8,061
	Net operating loss carryforwards	196,809				36,422
	Tax credit carryforwards	61,134				37,905
	Other	22,100				24,667
	Gross deferred tax assets	593,203				361,957
	Valuation allowance	(96,128		)		(52,105		)
	Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	497,075				309,852
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Acquired intangible assets	(146,955		)		(2,701		)
	Unrealized gain on investments	(2,007		)		(5,939		)
	Unrealized foreign exchange gain	—				(3,127		)
	U.S. taxes provided on unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	(28,844		)		(28,844		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(177,806		)		(40,611		)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	319,269			$	269,241

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
	Numerator for basic net income per share:
	Net income	$	1,007,446	$	1,042,657	$	417,404
	Denominator for basic net income per share:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	222,714		234,886		242,076
	Basic net income per share	$	4.52	$	4.44	$	1.72
	Numerator for diluted net income per share:
	Net income	$	1,007,446	$	1,042,657	$	417,404
	Denominator for diluted net income per share:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	222,714		234,886		242,076
	Incremental common shares attributable to exercise of outstanding employee stock options, SARs and ESPP (assuming proceeds would be used to purchase common stock), and RSUs	3,419		3,263		3,177
	1.5% Notes due 2017	8,261		2,087		—
	Warrants issued in conjunction with the 1.5% Notes due 2017	3,815		—		—
	Shares used in computing diluted net income per share	238,209		240,236		245,253
	Diluted net income per share	$	4.23	$	4.34	$	1.7
	Anti-dilutive shares excluded from net income per share calculation	33,672		53,485		70,309

Commitments_Contingencies_and_1

Commitments Contingencies and Guarantees (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Commitments Contingencies and Guarantees [Abstract]
Company's portion of the remaining guarantee obligations under each of Flash Ventures' master lease facilities	The following table details the Company’s portion of the remaining guarantee obligations under each of Flash Ventures’ master lease facilities (both initial and refinanced leases) in both Japanese yen (in billions) and U.S. dollar-equivalent (in thousands) based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014:
	Master Lease Agreements by Execution Date		Lease Type		Lease Amounts								Expiration
					(Japanese yen)				(U.S. dollar)
	Flash Partners:
	Mar-12		Refinanced		¥	1.9			$	16,074			2015
	Mar-14		Initial		4.6				37,967				2019
	Dec-14		Initial		3.2				26,932				2019
					9.7				80,973
	Flash Alliance:
	Mar-12		Initial		5.2				43,477				2017
	Jul-12		Refinanced		9.8				81,271				2017
	Mar-14		Initial		4.5				37,479				2019
	May-14		Initial		6.1				50,256				2019
	Aug-14		Initial		6.4				53,040				2019
	Dec-14		Initial		5				41,418				2019
					37				306,941
	Flash Forward:
	Nov-11		Initial		7.7				63,604				2016
	Mar-12		Initial		5				41,447				2017
	Jul-12		Initial		2				16,600				2017
	Dec-14		Initial		5				41,399				2019
					19.7				163,050
	Total guarantee obligations				¥	66.4			$	550,964
Remaining guarantee obligations by year	The following table details the breakdown of the Company’s remaining guarantee obligations between the principal amortization and the purchase option exercise price at the end of the term of the master lease agreements, in annual installments as of December 28, 2014 in U.S. dollars based upon the yen/dollar exchange rate at December 28, 2014 (in thousands):
	Annual Installments		Payment of Principal Amortization				Purchase Option Exercise Price at Final Lease Terms				Guarantee Amount
	Year 1		$	145,318			$	15,073			$	160,391
	Year 2		120,164				10,236				130,400
	Year 3		78,822				49,238				128,060
	Year 4		45,157				8,892				54,049
	Year 5		26,079				31,530				57,609
	Year 6		2,564				17,891				20,455
	Total guarantee obligations		$	418,104			$	132,860			$	550,964
Contractual Obligations	Contractual cash obligations and commitments as of December 28, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
			Total				1 Year (Fiscal 2015)				2 – 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)			4 – 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)		More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
	Facility and other operating leases		$	65,416			$	15,166			$	21,062		$	15,509	$	13,679
	Flash Partners(1)		661,820			(5)(6)	206,713				256,768			157,159		41,180
	Flash Alliance(1)		1,656,655			(5)(6)	655,083				599,075			360,615		41,882
	Flash Forward(1)		905,736			(5)(6)	302,332				351,883			189,082		62,439
	Toshiba research and development		39,298			(5)	39,298				—			—		—
	1.5% Notes due 2017 principal and interest(2)		1,041,644				14,954				1,026,690			—		—
	0.5% Notes due 2020 principal and interest(3)		1,545,000				7,500				15,000			15,000		1,507,500
	Noncancelable production purchase commitments(4)		241,663			(5)	241,663				—			—		—
	Capital equipment purchase commitments(7)		125,856				125,744				112			—		—
	Operating expense commitments(8)		43,251				42,911				340			—		—
	Total contractual cash obligations		$	6,326,339			$	1,651,364			$	2,270,930		$	737,365	$	1,666,680
	(1)	Includes reimbursement for depreciation and lease payments on owned and committed equipment, funding commitments for loans and equity investments and reimbursement for other committed expenses. Funding commitments assume no additional operating lease guarantees; new operating lease guarantees can reduce funding commitments.
	(2)	In August 2010, the Company issued and sold $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 1.5% Notes due 2017. As of December 28, 2014, $3.2 million aggregate principal amount was converted and settled. As of January 30, 2015, the Company had received additional conversion notices for a total of $46 thousand aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, for which conversion is expected to be completed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The Company will pay cash interest on the outstanding notes at an annual rate of 1.5%, payable semi-annually on August 15 and February 15 of each year until August 15, 2017.
	(3)	In October 2013, the Company issued and sold $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 0.5% Notes due 2020. The Company will pay cash interest on the outstanding notes at an annual rate of 0.5%, payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year until October 15, 2020.
	(4)	Includes Flash Ventures, related party vendors and other silicon source vendor purchase commitments.
	(5)	Includes amounts denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, which are subject to fluctuation in exchange rates prior to payment and have been translated using the exchange rate at December 28, 2014.
	(6)	Excludes amounts related to the master lease agreements’ purchase option exercise price at final lease term.
	(7)	Excludes $119.2 million in capital expenditures not yet paid in cash.
	(8)	Excludes amounts in accounts payable and accrued liabilities not yet paid in cash.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements	Off-balance sheet arrangements were as follows (in thousands):
			December 28,
			2014
	Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)		$	550,964
	Guarantee of asset purchase in Bangalore, India (2)		25,483
	(1)	The Company’s guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 66.4 billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551 million based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014.
	(2)	The Company is committed to purchase land and a building shell in Bangalore, India, if the seller is able to obtain necessary third‑party and government approvals by June 1, 2015.  The Company’s purchase obligation was approximately $25 million based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014.  The Company is currently making building improvements on the facility and has received a bank guarantee of up to approximately $17 million, based upon the exchange rate at December 28, 2014, from the seller to refund its building improvement expenditures if the purchase obligation expires unexercised.
Operating leases future minimum payments	The Company leases many of its office facilities and operating equipment for various terms under long-term, noncancelable operating lease agreements. The leases expire at various dates from fiscal year 2015 through fiscal year 2026. Future minimum lease payments are presented below (in thousands):
			Future minimum lease payments
	Fiscal year:
	2015		$	15,731
	2016		11,404
	2017		9,804
	2018		8,708
	2019 and thereafter		20,480
	Operating leases, gross		66,127
	Sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases		(711		)
	Operating leases, net		$	65,416
Net rent expense	Net rent expense was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,				December 29,				December 30,
		2014				2013				2012
	Rent expense, net	$	13,022			$	6,473			$	6,366

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_1

Related Parties and Strategic Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate	The Company’s maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate at each respective balance sheet date, as a result of its involvement with Flash Ventures, is presented below (in millions). Flash Ventures’ investments are denominated in Japanese yen and the maximum possible loss exposure excludes any cumulative translation adjustment due to revaluation from the Japanese yen to the U.S. dollar.
		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013
	Notes receivable	$	467	$	593
	Equity investments	496		541
	Operating lease guarantees	551		492
	Prepayments	—		5
	Maximum estimable loss exposure	$	1,514	$	1,631
Summarized Aggregate Balance Sheet Information For Joint Venture	The following summarizes the aggregated financial information for Flash Ventures, which includes both the Company and Toshiba’s portions (in millions).
		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013
		(Unaudited)
	Current assets	$	494	$	631
	Property, plant, equipment, net and other assets	2,602		2,802
	Total assets	$	3,096	$	3,433
	Current liabilities	$	1,160	$	1,144
	Long-term liabilities	934		1,186
Summarized Aggregate Income Statement Information For Joint Venture	The following summarizes the aggregated financial information for Flash Ventures, which includes both the Company and Toshiba’s portions, for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in millions). Flash Ventures’ year-ends are March 31, with quarters ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.
		Fiscal years ended
		December 28,		December 29,		December 30,
		2014		2013		2012
		(Unaudited)
	Net sales(1)	$	3,296	$	3,589	$	4,787
	Gross profit	18		31		8
	Net income (loss)	—		28		(15		)
	(1)	Net sales represent sales to both the Company and Toshiba.

Business_Acquisition_Tables

Business Acquisition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014					Dec. 29, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisition Purchase Price	The total aggregate consideration to acquire Fusion-io was $1.26 billion and comprised of the following (in thousands):					The total aggregate consideration to acquire SMART Storage was $305.1 million and comprised of the following (in thousands):
		Purchase Price					Purchase Price
	Cash consideration	$	1,256,502			Cash consideration	$	304,982
	Fair value of assumed equity attributed to pre-combination service	7,041				Fair value of assumed stock options attributed to pre-combination service	136
	Total purchase price	$	1,263,543			Total purchase price	$	305,118
Fair Value Inputs of Assumed Equity Awards	The weighted-average fair value of the assumed unvested stock option awards was $35.02 and was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model and included the following assumptions:					The weighted-average fair value of the assumed unvested stock option awards was $41.15 and was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model and included the following assumptions:
	Dividend yield	1.14%				Dividend yield	1.60%
	Expected volatility	0.32				Expected volatility	0.32
	Risk-free interest rate	1.00%				Risk-free interest rate	0.33%
	Weighted average expected life	2.6 years				Weighted average expected life	1.4 years
Allocation of purchase price to tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The following table presents the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from, and goodwill attributed to, the Fusion‑io acquisition as of July 23, 2014, and reflects adjustments made during the open measurement period to finalize the purchase accounting (in thousands):					The following table presents the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from, and goodwill attributed to, the SMART Storage acquisition as of August 22, 2013, and reflects adjustments made through the measurement period to finalize the purchase accounting (in thousands):
	Cash	$	190,336			Cash	$	1,423
	Accounts receivable, net	67,666				Accounts receivable, net	7,827
	Inventory	76,780				Inventory	29,331
	Deferred tax asset, net	54,490				Deferred taxes - current	921
	Finite-lived intangible assets	382,000				Other current assets	28,002
	IPR&D	61,000				Property and equipment	5,734
	Goodwill	513,398				Deferred taxes - non-current	3,338
	Other assets	30,498				Finite-lived intangible assets	162,200
	Other current liabilities	(94,016		)		IPR&D	6,300
	Other non-current liabilities	(18,609		)
	Total purchase price	$	1,263,543			Goodwill	115,594
						Other assets	149
						Accounts payable	(11,746		)
						Other current liabilities	(34,976		)
						Other non-current liabilities	(8,979		)
						Total purchase price	$	305,118
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination	The following table presents the fair value of the intangible assets acquired (in thousands):					The following table presents the fair value of the intangible assets acquired (in thousands):
		Weighted-Average		Fair Value			Weighted-Average		Fair Value
		Useful Lives					Useful Lives
	Intangible assets:					Intangible assets:
	Developed technology	5 years		$	271,000	Developed technology	4 years		$	146,100
	Customer relationships	1.5 years		57,000		Trademark and trade names	4 years		8,500
	Trademark and trade names	5 years		54,000		Customer relationships	2 years		7,600
	IPR&D			61,000		IPR&D			6,300
	Total intangible assets acquired, excluding goodwill			$	443,000	Total intangible assets acquired, excluding goodwill			$	168,500

Supplementary_Financial_Data_T

Supplementary Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014									Dec. 29, 2013
Supplementary Financial Data [Abstract]
Additional Supplementary Financial Data
		Fiscal quarters ended									Fiscal quarters ended
		March 30,		June 29,		September 28,		December 28,			March 31,		June 30,		September 29,		December 29,
		2014		2014		2014		2014			2013		2013		2013		2013
		(In thousands, except per share data)									(In thousands, except per share data)
	2014									2013
	Revenue	$	1,511,945	$	1,634,011	$	1,746,491	$	1,735,254	Revenue	$	1,340,729	$	1,476,263	$	1,625,153	$	1,727,858
	Gross profit	751,290		759,650		817,138		739,770		Gross profit	531,516		676,819		801,993		857,155
	Operating income	425,174		416,656		387,794		328,310		Operating income	253,791		392,558		408,448		507,413
	Net income	268,948		273,946		262,661		201,891		Net income	166,229		261,789		276,859		337,780
	Net income per share:									Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.19	$	1.21	$	1.18	$	0.93	Basic	$	0.69	$	1.08	$	1.2	$	1.5
	Diluted	$	1.14	$	1.14	$	1.09	$	0.86	Diluted	$	0.68	$	1.06	$	1.18	$	1.45
	Dividends declared per share	$	0.225	$	0.225	$	0.3	$	0.3	Dividends declared per share	$	—	$	—	$	0.225	$	0.225

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si2

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Organization and Presentation
Exchange rate used to translate Japanese yen to U.S. dollar	120.44	104.94	85.99
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax	$3.10	($3.30)	($2.80)
Advertising Expense	$27.90	$19.60	$16.20

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea2

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Cash and Mkt Securities (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$809,003	$986,246	$995,470	$1,167,496
Short-term marketable securities	1,455,509	1,919,611
Long-term marketable securities	2,758,475	3,179,471
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$5,022,987	$6,085,328

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea3

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Fin Assets and Liabilities 1 (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	$8,224,000	$45,741,000
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	0	0
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	4,776,694,000	5,906,393,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	8,224,000	45,859,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	558,295,000	920,557,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	4,218,399,000	4,985,836,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	8,224,000	45,859,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	0	0
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	0	0
Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	8,224,000	45,859,000
Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	8,224,000	45,859,000
Derivative Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Money market funds	533,133,000	760,363,000
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Money market funds	533,133,000	760,363,000
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Money market funds	0	0
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Money market funds	0	0
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Fixed income securities	4,238,761,000	5,145,253,000
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Fixed income securities	25,162,000	160,194,000
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Fixed income securities	4,213,599,000	4,985,059,000
Fixed Income Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Fixed income securities	0	0
Derivative Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative assets	4,800,000	777,000
Derivative Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative assets	0	0
Derivative Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative assets	4,800,000	777,000
Derivative Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative assets	0	0
Non-current liabilities [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total derivatives	$0	$118,000

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea4

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Fin Assets and Liabilities 2 (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Short-term marketable securities	$1,455,509,000		$1,919,611,000
Long-term marketable securities	2,758,475,000		3,179,471,000
Other current assets	214,992,000		166,885,000
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	0		0
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	4,776,694,000		5,906,393,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	8,224,000		45,859,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	558,295,000		920,557,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	4,218,399,000		4,985,836,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	8,224,000		45,859,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial assets	0		0
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	0		0
Other current accrued liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current accrued liabilities	8,224,000		45,741,000
Other current accrued liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current accrued liabilities	0		0
Other current accrued liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current accrued liabilities	8,224,000		45,741,000
Other current accrued liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current accrued liabilities	0		0
Non-current liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Non-current liabilities	0		118,000
Non-current liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Non-current liabilities	0		0
Non-current liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Non-current liabilities	0		118,000
Non-current liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Non-current liabilities	0		0
Cash equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents(1)	557,910,000	[1]	806,534,000	[1]
Cash equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents(1)	533,133,000	[1]	773,435,000	[1]
Cash equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents(1)	24,777,000	[1]	33,099,000	[1]
Cash equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents(1)	0	[1]	0	[1]
Short-term marketable securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Short-term marketable securities	1,455,509,000		1,919,611,000
Short-term marketable securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Short-term marketable securities	3,327,000		15,090,000
Short-term marketable securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Short-term marketable securities	1,452,182,000		1,904,521,000
Short-term marketable securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Short-term marketable securities	0		0
Long term marketable securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Long-term marketable securities	2,758,475,000		3,179,471,000
Long term marketable securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Long-term marketable securities	21,835,000		132,032,000
Long term marketable securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Long-term marketable securities	2,736,640,000		3,047,439,000
Long term marketable securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Long-term marketable securities	0		0
Other current assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current assets	4,800,000		777,000
Other current assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current assets	0		0
Other current assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current assets	4,800,000		777,000
Other current assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Other current assets	$0		$0
[1]	Cash equivalents exclude cash holdings of $251.1 million and $179.7 million included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Companybs Consolidated Balance Sheets as of DecemberB 28, 2014 and DecemberB 29, 2013, respectively.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea5

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-AFS Investments (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	$4,233,395	$5,128,833
Gross Unrealized Gain	10,106	20,599
Gross Unrealized Loss	-4,740	-4,179
Fair Value	4,238,761	5,145,253
U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	25,194	160,598
Gross Unrealized Gain	0	21
Gross Unrealized Loss	-32	-424
Fair Value	25,162	160,195
U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	7,511	8,112
Gross Unrealized Gain	0	10
Gross Unrealized Loss	-18	-1
Fair Value	7,493	8,121
International Government Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	82,033	38,492
Gross Unrealized Gain	0	1
Gross Unrealized Loss	-314	-224
Fair Value	81,719	38,269
Corporate notes and bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	774,869	864,331
Gross Unrealized Gain	325	1,504
Gross Unrealized Loss	-2,052	-1,565
Fair Value	773,142	864,270
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	171,221	226,620
Gross Unrealized Gain	42	114
Gross Unrealized Loss	-353	-170
Fair Value	170,910	226,564
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	48,378	86,542
Gross Unrealized Gain	6	18
Gross Unrealized Loss	-173	-554
Fair Value	48,211	86,006
Municipal notes and bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	3,124,189	3,744,138
Gross Unrealized Gain	9,733	18,931
Gross Unrealized Loss	-1,798	-1,241
Fair Value	$3,132,124	$3,761,828

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea6

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-AFS FV and Unrealized Losses (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$1,579,644,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-4,691,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	16,465,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-49,000
U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	25,162,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-32,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	0
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	0
U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	7,394,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-18,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	0
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	0
International Government Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	81,719,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-314,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	0
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	0
Corporate notes and bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	586,903,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-2,046,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	2,494,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-6,000
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	137,007,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-353,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	0
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	0
Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	31,954,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-132,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	9,518,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-41,000
Municipal notes and bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	709,505,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-1,796,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	4,453,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	($2,000)

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea7

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-AFS Realized Gains and Losses (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Gross realized gains and (losses) on sales of available-for-sale securities
Realized gains	$8,918	$4,724	$3,867
Realized losses	-1,375	-2,349	-898
Net realized gains	$7,543	$2,375	$2,969

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea8

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Fixed Income Maturities (Details 7) (Fixed Income Securities [Member], USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	$860,203
After one year through five years	2,603,444
After five years through ten years	122,637
After ten years	647,111
Total, Amortized Cost	4,233,395	5,128,833
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	861,915
After one year through five years	2,606,289
After five years through ten years	122,643
After ten years	647,914
Total, Fair Value	$4,238,761	$5,145,253

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea9

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Debt Instrument FV (Details 8) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value	$2,069,341	$1,985,363
Convertible Debt [Member]
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value	2,069,341	1,985,363
Convertible debt, fair value	3,738,221	2,947,450
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value	869,645	829,792
Convertible debt, fair value	1,948,721	1,467,160
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value	1,199,696	1,155,571
Convertible debt, fair value	$1,789,500	$1,480,290

Recovered_Sheet1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Cash	$251,100,000	$179,700,000
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	0
Fair Value, Assets, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	0
Fair Value, Liabilities, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	0
Fair Value, Liabilities, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Outstanding Designated Forward Contracts (Details 1) (Realized within twelve months [Member], Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member])	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
	USD ($)	JPY (¥)
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivatives, Net, before Tax	($1,472)
Cash Flow Hedge
Foreign exchange forward contracts	$103,826	¥ 12,500,000

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Derivative Contracts (Details 2) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member], USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Other current assets [Member]
Non-designated cash flow hedges, assets
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	$4,800,000	$777,000
Other non-current assets [Member]
Non-designated cash flow hedges, assets
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	0	0
Other current accrued liabilities [Member]
Designated cash flow hedges, liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	1,472,000	38,375,000
Non-designated cash flow hedges, liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	6,752,000	7,366,000
Total derivatives, liabilities	8,224,000	45,741,000
Non-current liabilities [Member]
Designated cash flow hedges, liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	0	118,000
Non-designated cash flow hedges, liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	0	0
Total derivatives, liabilities	$0	$118,000

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Impact on Earnings (Details 3) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member]
Effective portion of designated cash flow derivative contracts
Amount of loss recognized in OCI	($99)	($74,834)	($38,197)
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI to earnings	($25,418)	($41,523)	($10,946)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi6

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Ineffective Portion (Details 4) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Foreign exchange forward contracts	($1,134)	($1,201)	($6,630)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi7

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Effect of Non-designated Contracts (Details 5) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member]
Effect of nondesignated derivative contracts
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange forward contracts including forward point income	($5,627)	$1,427	$9,025
Gain (loss) from revaluation of foreign currency exposures hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts	$7,998	($4,460)	($3,511)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi8

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Cash Flow Hedge (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash Flow Hedge Buy [Member]
Cash Flow Hedge
Notional amount of foreign exchange forward contracts	$182,400
Cash Flow Hedge Sell [Member]
Cash Flow Hedge
Notional amount of foreign exchange forward contracts	$135,200

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi9

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Gains (Losses) and Netting Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Derivative, Netting Activities
Derivative Asset, Subject to Netting Arrangement, Net	$2,800,000
Derivative Liability, Subject to Netting Arrangement, Net	6,300,000	45,200,000
Realized within twelve months [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member]
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivatives, Net, before Tax	($1,472,000)

Balance_Sheet_InformationRecei

Balance Sheet Information-Receivables (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$1,134,254	$904,551
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-9,622	-8,274	-6,627	-5,717
Promotions, price protection and other activities	-282,156	-213,468
Total accounts receivable, net	$842,476	$682,809

Balance_Sheet_InformationAR_Al

Balance Sheet Information-AR Allowance (Details 1A) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Balance, beginning of year	$8,274,000	$6,627,000	$5,717,000
Additions charged to costs and expenses	857,000	2,167,000	1,452,000
Allowance adjustment	1,272,000	0	0
Deductions/write-offs	-781,000	-520,000	-542,000
Balance, end of year	$9,622,000	$8,274,000	$6,627,000

Balance_Sheet_InformationInven

Balance Sheet Information-Inventory (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory
Raw material	$369,860	$440,570
Work-in-process	138,594	102,543
Finished goods	189,557	213,862
Total inventory	$698,011	$756,975

Balance_Sheet_InformationOther

Balance Sheet Information-Other Assets (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Other Current Assets
Income tax receivables	$18,579,000	$7,976,000
Other tax-related receivables	84,432,000	62,784,000
Other non-trade receivables	69,033,000	37,368,000
Prepaid expenses	18,579,000	12,630,000
Other current assets	24,369,000	46,127,000
Total other current assets	214,992,000	166,885,000
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Prepaid tax on intercompany transactions	33,375,000	37,747,000
Long-term prepaid income tax	0	66,176,000
Other non-current assets	75,302,000	63,507,000
Total other non-current assets	$108,677,000	$167,430,000

Balance_Sheet_InformationPPE_D

Balance Sheet Information-PPE (Details 3A) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment
Machinery and equipment	$1,318,454	$1,148,150
Furniture and fixtures	24,090	20,481
Software	191,900	171,733
Buildings and building improvements	338,412	261,471
Leasehold improvements	26,525	6,559
Land	24,427	24,427
Capital land lease	12,827	6,644
Property and equipment, at cost	1,936,635	1,639,465
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-1,212,278	-983,671
Property and equipment, net	$724,357	$655,794

Balance_Sheet_InformationEquit

Balance Sheet Information-Equity Investments (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Related Party Transactions	$962,817	$1,134,620
Flash Partners Ltd [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes Receivable	12,454	100,057
Investments	167,102	190,694
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes Receivable	292,677	323,995
Investments	249,459	283,999
Flash Forward Ltd [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes Receivable	161,906	169,144
Investments	79,219	66,731
Flash Ventures [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Related Party Transactions	$962,817	$1,134,620

Balance_Sheet_InformationLiabi

Balance Sheet Information-Liabilities (Details 5) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Accrued Liabilities
Accrued payroll and related expenses	$233,702	$227,779
Taxes payable	74,079	59,618
Derivative contract payables	8,224	45,741
Other current accrued liabilities	190,288	176,594
Total other current accrued liabilities	506,293	509,732
Non-current liabilities
Income tax liabilities	132,320	205,266
Deferred revenue	31,066	35,346
Deferred tax liabilities	22,360	3,482
Other non-current liabilities	59,808	62,989
Total non-current liabilities	$245,554	$307,083

Balance_Sheet_InformationWarra

Balance Sheet Information-Warranty (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$43,624,000	$38,787,000	$26,957,000
Additions and adjustments to cost of revenue	21,315,000	33,400,000	33,247,000
Warranty liability assumed from acquisition	3,794,000	2,363,000	0
Usage	-20,178,000	-30,926,000	-21,417,000
Balance, end of year	$48,555,000	$43,624,000	$38,787,000

Balance_Sheet_InformationOCI_D

Balance Sheet Information-OCI (Details 7) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Accumulated net unrealized gain (loss) on:
Available-for-sale investments	$3,359	$10,479
Foreign currency translation	-197,252	-47,440
Hedging activities	-14,179	-39,498
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	-208,072	-76,459
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent
Available-for-sale investments	-3,934	-3,383	3,121
Foreign currency translation	-4,163	-38,006	-23,791
Total income tax benefit allocated	($8,097)	($41,389)	($20,670)

Balance_Sheet_InformationAOCI_

Balance Sheet Information-AOCI (Details 8) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income
Cost of revenue	($3,458,954,000)	($3,252,988,000)	($3,326,747,000)
Research and development	-852,310,000	-742,268,000	-602,765,000
Provision for income taxes	-481,584,000	-473,492,000	-209,512,000
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	-20,552,000	-40,270,000	-9,028,000
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income
Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net	7,543,000	2,375,000	2,969,000
Provision for income taxes	-2,677,000	-1,122,000	-1,051,000
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	4,866,000	1,253,000	1,918,000
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income
Cost of revenue	-24,142,000	-41,523,000	-10,946,000
Research and development	-1,276,000	0	0
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	($25,418,000)	($41,523,000)	($10,946,000)

Balance_Sheet_Information_Deta

Balance Sheet Information (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Balance Sheet Information
Accumulated Depreciation Amortization And Depletion Expense Property and Equipment, Current Charge	$254,300,000	$226,300,000	$161,900,000
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0	0
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	0	0	0
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)	$5,700,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets-Goodwill (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Balance, beginning of year	$318,111	$201,735
Acquisition	513,398	115,775
Adjustment	-181	601
Balance, end of year	$831,328	$318,111

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets-Intangibles (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Intangible Assets
Total intangible assets, gross	$858,844,000	$562,744,000
Accumulated amortization	-316,493,000	-231,612,000
Intangible asset adjustment		-83,228,000
Total intangible assets, net	542,351,000	247,904,000
Acquired in-process research and development [Member]
Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	61,000,000	42,500,000
Adjustments of indefinite lived intangible assets		-36,200,000
Net carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible assets	61,000,000	6,300,000
Developed product technology [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	568,744,000	348,385,000
Accumulated amortization	-209,478,000	-121,304,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets		-44,216,000
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	359,266,000	182,865,000
Customer relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	64,600,000	20,650,000
Accumulated amortization	-21,009,000	-14,426,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets		0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	43,591,000	6,224,000
Trademarks [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	62,500,000	14,200,000
Accumulated amortization	-7,395,000	-3,634,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets		-2,812,000
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	55,105,000	7,754,000
Covenants not to compete [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross		3,100,000
Accumulated amortization		-2,959,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets		0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization		141,000
Technology licenses and patents [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	102,000,000	133,909,000
Accumulated amortization	-78,611,000	-89,289,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets		0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	23,389,000	44,620,000
Acquisition-related Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	695,844,000	386,335,000
Accumulated amortization	-237,882,000	-142,323,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets		-47,028,000
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	457,962,000	196,984,000
Intangible assets subject to amortization [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	797,844,000	520,244,000
Accumulated amortization	-316,493,000	-231,612,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets		-47,028,000
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$481,351,000	$241,604,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets-Intangible Amortization (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Acquisition-related Intangible Assets [Member]
Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets
2015	$152,375,000
2016	109,971,000
2017	90,916,000
2018	66,260,000
2019	38,440,000
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	457,962,000	196,984,000
Technology licenses and patents [Member]
Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets
2015	20,056,000
2016	3,333,000
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$23,389,000	$44,620,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Goodwill and Finite-lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)		$513,200,000
In-process Research and Development Reclassified to Developed Product Technology	6,300,000
Impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets		0	83,228,000	860,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets		148,600,000	84,300,000	76,500,000
Pliant Technology Inc. [Member]
Goodwill and Finite-lived Intangible Assets
Impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets			$83,200,000

Financing_ArrangementsCarrying

Financing Arrangements-Carrying Value and Interest (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Aug. 31, 2010	Oct. 23, 2013
Carrying Value of Convertible Notes
Convertible debt, carrying value	$2,069,341,000	$1,985,363,000
Debt Summary
Convertible debt, carrying value	2,069,341,000	1,985,363,000
Less: Convertible short-term debt	869,645,000	0
Convertible long-term debt, carrying value	1,199,696,000	1,985,363,000
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Carrying Value of Convertible Notes
Convertible debt, par value	996,788,000	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Less: Unamortized bond discount	-127,143,000	-170,208,000
Convertible debt, carrying value	869,645,000	829,792,000
Debt Summary
Convertible debt, carrying value	869,645,000	829,792,000
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Carrying Value of Convertible Notes
Convertible debt, par value	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000		1,500,000,000
Less: Unamortized bond discount	-300,304,000	-344,429,000
Convertible debt, carrying value	1,199,696,000	1,155,571,000
Debt Summary
Convertible debt, carrying value	$1,199,696,000	$1,155,571,000

Financing_ArrangementsInterest

Financing Arrangements-Interest (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
1% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2013 [Member]
Interest Cost Recognized For Convertible Notes
Contractual interest coupon		$3,481	$9,280
Amortization of bond issuance costs		1,013	2,783
Amortization of bond discount		21,022	53,599
Total interest cost recognized		25,516	65,662
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Interest Cost Recognized For Convertible Notes
Contractual interest coupon	14,984	15,000	15,000
Amortization of bond issuance costs	2,666	2,667	2,666
Amortization of bond discount	41,848	39,095	36,364
Total interest cost recognized	59,498	56,762	54,030
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Interest Cost Recognized For Convertible Notes
Contractual interest coupon	7,500	1,271
Amortization of bond issuance costs	2,551	439
Amortization of bond discount	43,527	7,486
Total interest cost recognized	$53,578	$9,196

Financing_Arrangements_Details

Financing Arrangements (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2010	Dec. 28, 2014	Oct. 27, 2013	Jul. 23, 2014	Oct. 23, 2013
Convertible Bond Hedge
Transaction cost of convertible bond hedge accounted for equity transaction	$0	$331,650,000	$0
Warrants
Proceeds from sale of warrants	0	217,800,000	0
Temporary Conversion Obligation [Abstract]
Convertible short-term debt conversion obligation	127,143,000	0				127,143,000
Share Price	$101.31					$101.31		$94.35
1% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument Details
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		7.40%	7.40%
Convertible Senior Notes, due date				15-May-13
Debt Conversion
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				928,100,000
Interest Payable				4,600,000
Warrants
Number of warrants exercised		0
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument Details
Convertible debt, par value	996,788,000	1,000,000,000			1,000,000,000	996,788,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	6.85%	6.85%	6.85%		6.85%	6.85%
Convertible Senior Notes, issuance date					20-Aug-10
Convertible Senior Notes, due date					15-Aug-17
Convertible senior notes, interest rate					1.50%
Conversion rate, number of share converted					19.0931	19.4714
Conversion of notes, base conversion price					1,000	1,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Shares	19,400,000				19,100,000	19,400,000
Conversion price per share	$51.36				$52.37	$51.36
Debt Carrying Value Information
Net proceeds from the offering of the Notes due					981,000,000
Principal amount of the liability component					706,000,000
Carrying value of the equity component					294,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Bond Discount	127,143,000	170,208,000				127,143,000
Remaining amortization period of convertible debt	2 years 8 months
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt Related Commitment Fees and Debt Issuance Costs					18,700,000
Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Debt Issuance Cost					5,500,000
Convertible note issuance costs	4,900,000				13,200,000	4,900,000
Debt Conversion
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued	26,626
Total loss on early extinguishment of debt before tax	400,000
Convertible Bond Hedge
Bond hedge options, exercise price	$51.36				$52.37
Number of shares an entity can purchase from counterparties	19,400,000				19,100,000
Transaction cost of convertible bond hedge accounted for equity transaction					292,900,000
Tax benefit from deferred tax asset related to convertible bond hedge					1,700,000
Warrants
Exercise price of warrants	$71.90				$73.33	$71.90
Number of shares counterparties can purchase from entity	19,500,000				19,100,000
Proceeds from sale of warrants					188,100,000
Number of warrants exercised	0					0
Temporary Conversion Obligation [Abstract]
Temporary Equity, Par Value	-127,100,000					-127,100,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, If-Converted Shares for Value in Excess of Principal	9,600,000					9,600,000
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | Shares, Whole [Member]
Convertible Bond Hedge
Number of shares purchased under bond hedge	26,622					26,622
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | Settled, Current and Past Period [Member]
Debt Conversion
Conversion of Debt Amount	-3,212,000					-3,212,000
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	3,200,000
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | Settled, Future Period [Member]
Debt Conversion
Conversion of Debt Amount	46,000					46,000
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument Details
Convertible debt, par value	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000				1,500,000,000			1,500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	4.43%	4.43%				4.43%			4.43%
Convertible Senior Notes, issuance date							29-Oct-13
Convertible Senior Notes, due date							15-Oct-20
Convertible senior notes, interest rate									0.50%
Conversion rate, number of share converted						10.8647	10.847
Conversion of notes, base conversion price						1,000	1,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Shares	16,300,000					16,300,000			16,300,000
Conversion price per share	$92.04					$92.04			$92.19
Debt Carrying Value Information
Net proceeds from the offering of the Notes due							1,480,000,000
Principal amount of the liability component									1,150,000,000
Carrying value of the equity component	352,000,000					352,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Bond Discount	300,304,000	344,429,000				300,304,000
Remaining amortization period of convertible debt	5 years 10 months
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt Related Commitment Fees and Debt Issuance Costs							17,600,000
Adjustment To Additional Paid In Capital Debt Issuance Cost							4,100,000
Convertible note issuance costs	11,200,000					11,200,000			13,500,000
Convertible Bond Hedge
Bond hedge options, exercise price	$92.04						$92.19
Number of shares an entity can purchase from counterparties	16,300,000						16,300,000
Transaction cost of convertible bond hedge accounted for equity transaction							331,700,000
Tax benefit from deferred tax asset related to convertible bond hedge							119,500,000
Number of shares purchased under bond hedge	0					0
Warrants
Exercise price of warrants	$122.72					$122.72			$122.92
Number of shares counterparties can purchase from entity	16,300,000						16,300,000
Proceeds from sale of warrants							$217,800,000
Number of warrants exercised	0					0

Share_Repurchases_Details_Text

Share Repurchases (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Apr. 08, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Jan. 01, 2012
Share Repurchase Program Summary
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount						$2,500,000,000
Share Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	626,700,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock During Period	1,341,476,000	1,589,539,000	230,081,000
Share-based Benefit Plan Repurchases
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	41,300,000
10b-5 Repurchase Program [Member]
Share Repurchase Program Summary
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount			750,000,000				500,000,000
Structured Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Share Repurchase Program Summary
Share Repurchased and Retired During Program, Shares	45,300,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock, Aggregate	3,120,000,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares	14,300,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock During Period	1,300,000,000
Accelerated Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Share Repurchase Program Summary
Share Repurchased and Retired During Program, Shares	15,100,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares				600,000	14,500,000
Accelerated Share Repurchase Program
Upfront Payment Under Accelerated Share Repurchase Program						1,000,000,000
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Final Price Paid Per Share				$66.07
Program End Date	8-Apr-14
Subsequent Event [Member]
Share Repurchase Program Summary
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$2,500,000,000

Concentration_of_Risk_and_Segm2

Concentration of Risk and Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Revenue	$6,627,701	$6,170,003	$5,052,509
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Revenue	1,136,284	877,759	714,293
China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Revenue	2,026,122	1,887,207	1,195,617
Taiwan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Revenue	864,461	958,705	981,801
Other Asia-Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Revenue	1,464,720	1,363,927	1,290,291
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Revenue	814,817	780,079	642,494
Other foreign countries [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Revenue	$321,297	$302,326	$228,013

Concentration_of_Risk_and_Segm3

Concentration of Risk and Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets	$1,252,263	$1,214,051
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets	314,578	313,959
China [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets	283,533	299,704
Japan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets	503,234	553,318
Other foreign countries [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets	$150,918	$47,070

Concentration_of_Risk_and_Segm4

Concentration of Risk and Segment Information (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Geographic Areas, Revenues from External Customers
Percentage Of Revenue From Major Customers Or Licensees	48.00%	49.00%	43.00%
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Percentage of Accounts Receivable from Major Customers	68.00%	64.00%
Apple Inc. [Member]
Geographic Areas, Revenues from External Customers
Percentage Of Revenue From Major Customers Or Licensees	19.00%	20.00%	13.00%
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Percentage of Accounts Receivable from Major Customers	34.00%	32.00%
Best Buy Co., Inc. [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Percentage of Accounts Receivable from Major Customers	10.00%	11.00%

Stockholders_Equity_and_ShareB1

Stockholders Equity and Share-Based Compensation Dividend Declaration (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Dividends Payable
Declaration Date	15-Oct-14	15-Jul-14	15-Apr-14	21-Jan-14
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.30	$0.30	$0.23	$0.23	$1.05	$0.45	$0
Record Date	3-Nov-14	4-Aug-14	5-May-14	3-Feb-14
Total Amount Declared	$67.50	$68.50	$52	$51.70
Payment Date	24-Nov-14	25-Aug-14	27-May-14	24-Feb-14

Stockholders_Equity_and_ShareB2

Stockholders Equity and Share-Based Compensation Dividend Declaration (Detail Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Dividends Payable
Declaration Date	15-Oct-14	15-Jul-14	15-Apr-14	21-Jan-14
Record Date	3-Nov-14	4-Aug-14	5-May-14	3-Feb-14
Payment Date	24-Nov-14	25-Aug-14	27-May-14	24-Feb-14
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.30	$0.30	$0.23	$0.23	$1.05	$0.45	$0
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dividends Payable
Declaration Date					21-Jan-15
Record Date					2-Mar-15
Payment Date					23-Mar-15
Cash dividends declared per share					$0.30

ShareBased_CompensationValuati

Share-Based Compensation-Valuation Parameters (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Fair value of stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members and ESPP shares granted to employees
Dividend yield			0.00%
Expected volatility	32.00%	37.00%	43.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.22%	0.74%	0.60%
Expected term	4 years 5 months	4 years 5 months	4 years 5 months
Estimated annual forfeiture rate	8.79%	8.51%	8.59%
Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$18.96	$16.26	$16.45
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares [Member]
Fair value of stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members and ESPP shares granted to employees
Dividend yield			0.00%
Expected volatility	31.00%	34.00%	41.00%
Risk-free interest rate	0.07%	0.11%	0.15%
Expected term	0 years 6 months	0 years 6 months	0 years 6 months
Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$19.39	$13.08	$11.87
Maximum [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Fair value of stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members and ESPP shares granted to employees
Dividend yield	1.42%	1.65%
Maximum [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares [Member]
Fair value of stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members and ESPP shares granted to employees
Dividend yield	1.25%	1.65%
Minimum [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Fair value of stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members and ESPP shares granted to employees
Dividend yield	1.14%	0.00%
Minimum [Member] | Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares [Member]
Fair value of stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members and ESPP shares granted to employees
Dividend yield	1.14%	0.00%

ShareBased_CompensationOption_

Share-Based Compensation-Option Rollforward (Details 2) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Stock options and stock appreciation rights
Options and SARs outstanding Beginning Balance, Shares	6,593,000	15,426,000	17,559,000
Options and SARs outstanding Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$40.66	$40.73	$36.55
Options and SARs outstanding Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 6 months	4 years 2 months	3 years 2 months	3 years 5 months
Options and SARs outstanding Beginning Balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$195,018	$109,411	$257,251
Granted, Shares	1,032,000	1,142,000	2,336,000
Granted Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$76.82	$52.69	$46.49
Exercised, Shares	-3,635,000	-7,362,000	-3,403,000
Exercised Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$40.54	$35.53	$21.32
Exercised Aggregate Intrinsic Value	163,623	163,992	81,622
Forfeited, Shares	-318,000	-433,000	-469,000
Forfeited Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$51.88	$43.72	$38.12
Expired, Shares	-9,000	-2,363,000	-597,000
Expired Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$41.09	$60.70	$53.10
Assumed through acquisition, shares	427,000	183,000
Assumed through acquisition, Weighted Average Fair Value (per share)	$68.49	$19.37
Options and SARs outstanding Ending Balance, shares	4,090,000	6,593,000	15,426,000	17,559,000
Options and SARs outstanding Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$51.94	$40.66	$40.73	$36.55
Options and SARs outstanding Ending Balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 6 months	4 years 2 months	3 years 2 months	3 years 5 months
Options and SARs outstanding Ending Balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	202,044	195,018	109,411	257,251
Stock options and stock appreciation rights, expected to vest
Options and SARs vested and expected to vest, net of forfeitures, Shares	3,864,000
Options and SARs vested and expected to vest, net of forfeitures, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$51.23
Options and SARs vested and expected to vest, net of forfeitures, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 5 months
Options and SARs vested and expected to vest, net of forfeitures, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	193,621
Stock options and stock appreciation rights, exercisable
Options and SARs, Exercisable, shares	1,547,000
Options and SARs, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$38.53
Options and SARs, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 2 months
Options and SARs, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$97,107

ShareBased_CompensationRSU_Rol

Share-Based Compensation-RSU Rollforward (Details 3) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Summary of the changes in RSUs outstanding
Beginning Balance, Non-vested share units	4,454,000	3,077,000	2,051,000
Beginning Balance, Non-vested share units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$49.87	$43.51	$40.22
Beginning Balance, Non-vested share units Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$221,457	$131,622	$100,913
Granted, Shares	2,888,000	2,665,000	1,840,000
Granted Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$81.62	$53.99	$45.04
Vested, Shares	-1,594,000	-950,000	-646,000
Vested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$51.19	$41.97	$47.75
Vested Aggregate Intrinsic Value	129,945	50,268	29,479
Forfeited, Shares	-606,000	-338,000	-227,000
Forfeited Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$70.81	$46.93	$42.85
Assumed through acquisition, shares	445,000		59,000
Assumed through Acquisition Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$94.35		$46.63
Ending Balance, Non-vested share units	5,587,000	4,454,000	3,077,000
Ending Balance, Non-vested share units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$67.18	$49.87	$43.51
Ending Balance, Non-vested share units Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$375,366	$221,457	$131,622

ShareBased_CompensationExpense

Share-Based Compensation-Expense Recognition (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$155,313	$99,756	$78,443
Total tax benefit recognized	-42,685	-28,183	-20,122
Decrease in net income	112,628	71,573	58,321
Stock options and SARs [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	35,607	32,803	35,428
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	108,259	59,962	35,260
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	11,447	6,991	7,755
Cost of revenue [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	14,720	9,820	7,459
Research and Development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	74,842	51,521	41,009
Sales and marketing [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	35,972	19,193	14,585
General and administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$29,779	$19,222	$15,390

ShareBased_CompensationGrant_D

Share-Based Compensation-Grant Date Fair Value of Vested Awards (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Grant date fair value of options and RSUs vested
Options	$37,986	$36,703	$37,674
RSUs	81,619	39,885	24,327
Total grant date fair value of vested options and RSUs	$119,605	$76,588	$62,001

ShareBased_CompensationActivit

Share-Based Compensation-Activity (Details Textuals 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Compensation and Benefits
Share-based compensation expense capitalized in inventory	$4.30	$2.70
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Accelerated Compensation Cost	10.8
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Compensation and Benefits
Total unrecognized compensation cost, net of forfeitures, related to awards granted to employees	36.2
Employee service, Nonvested awards, Total Compensation Cost not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 2 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Compensation and Benefits
Total unrecognized compensation cost, net of forfeitures, related to awards granted to employees	244.8
Employee service, Nonvested awards, Total Compensation Cost not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 7 months
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares [Member]
Compensation and Benefits
Total unrecognized compensation expense for ESPP	$1.50
Employee service, Nonvested awards, Total Compensation Cost not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	0 years 2 months

ShareBased_CompensationPlan_In

Share-Based Compensation-Plan Info (Details Textuals 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Accelerated Compensation Cost	10.8
2013 Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock Plan Summary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	20,000,000
Additional Common Stock Added to Reserve Kept for Incentive Plan	762,444
Maximum number of shares by which share reserve can be increased for issuance under incentive plan	10,000,000
Share-based Award Vesting Term	P7Y
2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock Plan Summary
Stock Plan Termination Date	12-Jun-13
Share-based Award Vesting Term	P7Y
1995 Incentive Plan [Member]
Stock Plan Summary
Stock Plan Termination Date	27-May-05
Share-based Award Vesting Term	P10Y
2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Stock Plan Summary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	10,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	3,706,401
Stock Purchase Plan Activity
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	639,265	623,887	684,646
Purchase price of common stock under Employee stock purchase plan as a percentage of fair market value of share	85.00%

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate2

Restructuring and Other Related Activities Restructuring and Other Related Activities - Expense (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring costs	$12,050,000
Other costs	20,941,000
Total restructuring and other	$32,991,000	$0	$0

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate3

Restructuring and Other Related Activities - Accrual (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Accrual balance at December 29, 2013	$0
Charges	12,022,000
Adjustments	28,000
Cash payments	-6,724,000
Non-cash items	-515,000
Accrual balance at December 28, 2014	4,811,000
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Accrual balance at December 29, 2013	0
Charges	11,437,000
Adjustments	33,000
Cash payments	-6,699,000
Non-cash items	0
Accrual balance at December 28, 2014	4,771,000
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Accrual balance at December 29, 2013	0
Charges	585,000
Adjustments	-5,000
Cash payments	-25,000
Non-cash items	-515,000
Accrual balance at December 28, 2014	$40,000

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate4

Restructuring and Other Related Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
	Employee
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)		$12,022
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Number of Positions Eliminated	143
Other costs		20,941
Fusion-io Inc [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Other costs		9,100
Fusion-io Inc [Member] | Direct Acquisition Cost [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Other costs		11,700	2,600	9,100
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)		11,437
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)		$585

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Prov

Income Taxes Income Taxes - Provision (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Federal	$388,532	$359,012	$74,258
State	12,404	9,972	-824
Foreign	88,563	103,981	101,710
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	489,499	472,965	175,144
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Federal	10,544	27,328	45,383
State	-13,250	2,645	1,634
Foreign	-5,209	-29,446	-12,649
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-7,915	527	34,368
Provision for income taxes	$481,584	$473,492	$209,512

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Prov1

Income Taxes Income Taxes - Provision by Country (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Income Loss Before Provision For Income Taxes
United States	$1,319,528	$1,436,470	$518,509
Foreign	169,502	79,679	108,407
Income before income taxes	$1,489,030	$1,516,149	$626,916

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Reco

Income Taxes Income Taxes - Reconciliation (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation
U.S. federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State taxes, net of federal benefit	0.80%	0.60%	0.30%
Non-deductible share-based compensation expense	1.00%	0.50%	1.30%
Valuation allowance	0.80%	-0.10%	0.20%
Tax-exempt interest income	-0.60%	-0.70%	-1.90%
Foreign earnings at other than U.S. rates	-2.20%	-2.90%	-1.20%
Settlements with tax authorities	-1.70%	0.00%	-0.60%
Other	-0.80%	-1.20%	0.30%
Effective income tax rates	32.30%	31.20%	33.40%

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Defe

Income Taxes Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred income on shipments to distributors and retailers and deferred revenue recognized for tax purposes	$65,002,000	$68,117,000
Accruals and reserves not currently deductible	98,342,000	63,236,000
Depreciation and amortization not currently deductible	96,735,000	81,245,000
Deductible share-based compensation	32,679,000	28,684,000
Unrealized loss on investments	10,045,000	13,620,000
Unrealized foreign exchange loss	10,357,000	8,061,000
Net operating loss carryforwards	196,809,000	36,422,000
Tax credit carryforwards	61,134,000	37,905,000
Other	22,100,000	24,667,000
Gross deferred tax assets	593,203,000	361,957,000
Valuation allowance	-96,128,000	-52,105,000
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	497,075,000	309,852,000
Deferred tax liabilities:
Acquired intangible assets	-146,955,000	-2,701,000
Unrealized gain on investments	-2,007,000	-5,939,000
Unrealized foreign exchange gain	0	-3,127,000
U.S. taxes provided on unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries	-28,844,000	-28,844,000
Total deferred tax liabilities	-177,806,000	-40,611,000
Net deferred tax assets	$319,269,000	$269,241,000

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Unre

Income Taxes Income Taxes - Unrecognized Tax Benefit Reconciliation (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$185,250,000	$179,522,000	$185,826,000
Additions:
Tax positions related to current year	17,656,000	8,255,000	8,164,000
Tax positions related to prior years	14,411,000	15,938,000	942,000
Reductions:
Tax positions related to prior years	-9,597,000	-1,737,000	-7,186,000
Expiration of statute of limitations	-8,039,000	-7,419,000	-2,003,000
Settlements with taxing authorities	-71,121,000	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-3,387,000	-9,309,000	-6,221,000
Balance, end of year	$125,173,000	$185,250,000	$179,522,000

Income_Taxes_Details_Textuals

Income Taxes (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Income Tax Contingency
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Domestic	$513,200,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State and Local	453,700,000
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	969,100,000
Tax Effect From Share Based Plans	45,120,000	583,000	11,691,000
Provision For Income Taxes
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	30,100,000	32,700,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate	100,400,000
Unrecognized tax benefits income tax penalties and interest expense or income	-200,000	2,200,000	2,900,000
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	25,200,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Provision For Income Taxes
Expected decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months	56,200,000
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Contingency
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	13,100,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Contingency
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	$77,300,000

Net_Income_Per_Share_Details

Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Numerator for basic net income per share:
Net income	$1,007,446	$1,042,657	$417,404
Denominator for basic net income per share:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	222,714,000	234,886,000	242,076,000
Basic net income per share	$4.52	$4.44	$1.72
Numerator for diluted net income per share:
Net income	$1,007,446	$1,042,657	$417,404
Denominator for diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	222,714,000	234,886,000	242,076,000
Incremental common shares attributable to exercise of outstanding employee stock options, SARs and ESPP (assuming proceeds would be used to purchase common stock), and RSUs	3,419,000	3,263,000	3,177,000
1.5% Notes due 2017	8,261,000	2,087,000	0
Warrants issued in conjunction with the 1.5% Notes due 2017	3,815,000	0	0
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share	238,209,000	240,236,000	245,253,000
Diluted net income per share	$4.23	$4.34	$1.70
Antidilutive Shares
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from net income per share calculation	33,672,000	53,485,000	70,309,000

Commitments_Contingencies_and_2

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-JV Leases (Details 1)

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 29, 2013

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-03 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-03 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-07 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-07 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-03 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-03 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-05 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-05 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-08 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-08 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-12 [Member]

FAL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-12 [Member]

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-03 [Member]

FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-03 [Member]

FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-03 [Member]

FPL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-03 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-12 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-12 [Member]

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2011-11 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2011-11 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-03 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-03 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-07 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2012-07 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-12 [Member]

FFL Master Lease Agreement, 2014-12 [Member]

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

Company's portion of the remaining guarantee obligations under each of Flash Ventures' master lease facilities

Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)

$550,964

[1]

$492,000

$306,941

¥ 37,000,000

$43,477

¥ 5,200,000

$81,271

¥ 9,800,000

$37,479

¥ 4,500,000

$50,256

¥ 6,100,000

$53,040

¥ 6,400,000

$41,418

¥ 5,000,000

$80,973

¥ 9,700,000

$16,074

¥ 1,900,000

$37,967

¥ 4,600,000

$26,932

¥ 3,200,000

$163,050

¥ 19,700,000

$63,604

¥ 7,700,000

$41,447

¥ 5,000,000

$16,600

¥ 2,000,000

$41,399

¥ 5,000,000

$550,964

¥ 66,400,000

[1]

The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 66.4B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551B million based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_3

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-JV Lease Amounts (Details 2)	Dec. 28, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)		USD ($)	Flash Ventures [Member]	Flash Ventures [Member]	Payment of Principal Amortization [Member]	Purchase Option Exercise Price at Final Lease Terms [Member]
				USD ($)	JPY (¥)	Flash Ventures [Member]	Flash Ventures [Member]
						USD ($)	USD ($)
Remaining guarantee obligations
Year 1				$160,391		$145,318	$15,073
Year 2				130,400		120,164	10,236
Year 3				128,060		78,822	49,238
Year 4				54,049		45,157	8,892
Year 5				57,609		26,079	31,530
Year 6				20,455		2,564	17,891
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases	$550,964	[1]	$492,000	$550,964	¥ 66,400,000	$418,104	$132,860
[1]	The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 66.4B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551B million based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_4

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Commitment Tbl (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	$65,416,000
Contractual Obligation	6,326,339,000
1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Contractual Obligation	1,651,364,000
2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Contractual Obligation	2,270,930,000
4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Contractual Obligation	737,365,000
More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Contractual Obligation	1,666,680,000
Operating Lease Expense [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	65,416,000	[1]
Operating Lease Expense [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	15,166,000	[1]
Operating Lease Expense [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	21,062,000	[1]
Operating Lease Expense [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	15,509,000	[1]
Operating Lease Expense [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	13,679,000	[1]
Toshiba Corporation [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Toshiba research and development	39,298,000	[1]
Toshiba Corporation [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Toshiba research and development	39,298,000	[1]
Toshiba Corporation [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Toshiba research and development	0	[1]
Toshiba Corporation [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Toshiba research and development	0	[1]
Toshiba Corporation [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Toshiba research and development	0	[1]
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	125,856,000	[2]
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	125,744,000	[2]
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	112,000	[2]
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0	[2]
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0	[2]
Operating Expense Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	43,251,000	[3]
Operating Expense Commitments [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	42,911,000	[3]
Operating Expense Commitments [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	340,000	[3]
Operating Expense Commitments [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0	[3]
Operating Expense Commitments [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0	[3]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	241,663,000	[1],[4]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	241,663,000	[1],[4]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0	[1],[4]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0	[1],[4]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0	[1],[4]
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	1,041,644,000	[5]
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	14,954,000	[5]
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	1,026,690,000	[5]
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	0	[5]
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	0	[5]
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	1,545,000,000	[6]
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	7,500,000	[6]
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	15,000,000	[6]
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	15,000,000	[6]
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	1,507,500,000	[6]
Flash Partners Ltd [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	661,820,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Partners Ltd [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	206,713,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Partners Ltd [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	256,768,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Partners Ltd [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	157,159,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Partners Ltd [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	41,180,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	1,656,655,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	655,083,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	599,075,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	360,615,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	41,882,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Forward Ltd [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	905,736,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Forward Ltd [Member] | 1 Year (Fiscal 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	302,332,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Forward Ltd [Member] | 2 b 3 Years (Fiscal 2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	351,883,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Forward Ltd [Member] | 4 b 5 Years (Fiscal 2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	189,082,000	[1],[7],[8]
Flash Forward Ltd [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond Fiscal 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	$62,439,000	[1],[7],[8]
[1]	Includes amounts denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, which are subject to fluctuation in exchange rates prior to payment and have been translated using the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014.
[2]	Excludes $119.2B million in capital expenditures not yet paid in cash.
[3]	Excludes amounts in accounts payable and accrued liabilities not yet paid in cash.
[4]	Includes Flash Ventures, related party vendors and other silicon source vendor purchase commitments.
[5]	In August 2010, the Company issued and sold $1.0B billion in aggregate principal amount of 1.5%B Notes due 2017. As of DecemberB 28, 2014, $3.2B million aggregate principal amount was converted and settled. As of JanuaryB 30, 2015, the Company had received additional conversion notices for a total of $46B thousand aggregate principal amount of the 1.5%B Notes due 2017, for which conversion is expected to be completed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015. The Company will pay cash interest on the outstanding notes at an annual rate of 1.5%, payable semi-annually on August 15 and February 15 of each year until AugustB 15, 2017.
[6]	In October 2013, the Company issued and sold $1.5B billion in aggregate principal amount of 0.5%B Notes due 2020. The Company will pay cash interest on the outstanding notes at an annual rate of 0.5%, payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year until OctoberB 15, 2020.
[7]	Includes reimbursement for depreciation and lease payments on owned and committed equipment, funding commitments for loans and equity investments and reimbursement for other committed expenses. Funding commitments assume no additional operating lease guarantees; new operating lease guarantees can reduce funding commitments.
[8]	Excludes amounts related to the master lease agreementsb purchase option exercise price at final lease term.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_5

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Off-Balance Sheet Tbl (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Guarantor Obligations
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)	$550,964	[1]	$492,000
Guarantee of asset purchase in Bangalore, India (2)	$25,483	[2]
[1]	The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 66.4B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551B million based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014.
[2]	The Company is committed to purchase land and a building shell in Bangalore, India, if the seller is able to obtain necessary thirdbparty and government approvals by JuneB 1, 2015. The Companybs purchase obligation was approximately $25B million based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014. The Company is currently making building improvements on the facility and has received a bank guarantee of up to approximately $17B million, based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014, from the seller to refund its building improvement expenditures if the purchase obligation expires unexercised.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_6

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Future Lease Obligation (Details 5) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating leases future minimum payments
2015	$15,731
2016	11,404
2017	9,804
2018	8,708
2019 and thereafter	20,480
Operating leases, gross	66,127
Sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases	-711
Operating leases, net	$65,416

Commitments_Contingencies_and_7

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Rent Expense (Details 6) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Net rent expense
Rent expense, net	$13,022	$6,473	$6,366

Commitments_Contingencies_and_8

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-JV (Details Textual 1)

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 29, 2013

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 29, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 29, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 29, 2013

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

Dec. 28, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Partners Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

SanDisk Corporation [Member]

Toshiba Corporation [Member]

Venture Ownership

Firm's ownership in business venture

49.90%

Partner's ownership in venture business

50.10%

Venture Origination Year

10-Sep-04

7-Jul-06

13-Jul-10

13-Jul-10

Equity Investments

Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Noncurrent

$12,500,000

$292,700,000

$161,900,000

Equity investment in business venture

167,100,000

190,700,000

249,500,000

284,000,000

79,200,000

66,700,000

Cumulative translation adjustments

-197,252,000

-47,440,000

-7,300,000

17,300,000

-45,500,000

-8,700,000

-28,400,000

-16,200,000

Equity Method Investment Difference Between Carrying Amount And Underlying Equity (Basis Adjustment)

0

1,200,000

3,000,000

0

6,500,000

15,200,000

Master Lease Agreements

Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)

550,964,000

[1]

492,000,000

80,973,000

9,700,000,000

306,941,000

37,000,000,000

163,050,000

19,700,000,000

550,964,000

66,400,000,000

Master Lease Covenants

Joint Venture Master Equipment Lease Agreement Guarantor Equity Covenant

$1,510,000,000

[1]

The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 66.4B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551B million based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_9

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Indemnity (Details Textual 3) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Supplier and Customer [Member]
Indemnification
Indemnification Accrual At Carrying Value	$0	$0
Officers, Employees and Directors [Member]
Indemnification
Indemnification Accrual At Carrying Value	0	0
Environmental Cost [Member]
Indemnification
Indemnification Accrual At Carrying Value	$0	$0

Recovered_Sheet2

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Contractual Obligation Table (Details Textual 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2010	Oct. 27, 2013	Dec. 29, 2013	Oct. 23, 2013
Tax Commitment [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits From Contractual Obligation	$132,300,000
Incurred But Not Paid [Abstract]
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	119,200,000
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instruments
Aggregate principal amount of convertible notes, issued and sold	996,788,000	1,000,000,000		1,000,000,000
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date		20-Aug-10
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		15-Aug-17
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instruments
Aggregate principal amount of convertible notes, issued and sold	1,500,000,000			1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Issuance Date			29-Oct-13
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					0.50%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			15-Oct-20
Settled, Current and Past Period [Member] | 1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instruments
Conversion of Debt Amount	-3,212,000
Settled, Future Period [Member] | 1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instruments
Conversion of Debt Amount	$46,000

Recovered_Sheet3

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Off-balance Sheet Arrangements (Details Textuals 5)	Dec. 28, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
	USD ($)		USD ($)	Flash Ventures [Member]	Flash Ventures [Member]
				USD ($)	JPY (¥)
Master Lease Agreements
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)	$550,964,000	[1]	$492,000,000	$550,964,000	¥ 66,400,000,000
Other Off-balance Sheet Disclosures [Abstract]
Guarantee of asset purchase in Bangalore, India (2)	25,483,000	[2]
Financial Institution Reimbursement Guarantee	$17,000,000
[1]	The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 66.4B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551B million based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014.
[2]	The Company is committed to purchase land and a building shell in Bangalore, India, if the seller is able to obtain necessary thirdbparty and government approvals by JuneB 1, 2015. The Companybs purchase obligation was approximately $25B million based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014. The Company is currently making building improvements on the facility and has received a bank guarantee of up to approximately $17B million, based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014, from the seller to refund its building improvement expenditures if the purchase obligation expires unexercised.

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_2

Related Parties and Strategic Investments (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014		Dec. 29, 2013
Maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)	$550,964,000	[1]	$492,000,000
Prepayments	0		5,000,000
Maximum estimable loss exposure	1,514,000,000		1,631,000,000
Notes Receivable [Member]
Maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate
Maximum estimable loss exposure	467,000,000		593,000,000
Equity Method Investments [Member]
Maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate
Maximum estimable loss exposure	$496,000,000		$541,000,000
[1]	The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 66.4B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $551B million based upon the exchange rate at DecemberB 28, 2014.

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_3

Related Parties and Strategic Investments (Details 2) (Flash Ventures [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Flash Ventures [Member]
ASSETS
Current assets	$494	$631
Property, plant, equipment, net and other assets	2,602	2,802
Total assets	3,096	3,433
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities	1,160	1,144
Long-term liabilities	934	1,186
Summarized Financial Information, Income Statement
Net sales(1)	3,296	3,589	4,787
Gross profit	18	31	8
Net income (loss)	$0	$28	($15)

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_4

Related Parties and Strategic Investments (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Related Parties and Strategic Investments
Accounts payable balances due to related party	$136,051,000	$146,964,000
Flash Ventures [Member]
Related Parties and Strategic Investments
The Company purchased NAND flash memory wafers from Flash Ventures and made prepayments, investments and loans to Flash Ventures	1,910,000,000	1,870,000,000	2,710,000,000
Repayment of loan from Flash Ventures	231,400,000	124,800,000	511,300,000
Accounts payable balances due to related party	136,100,000	146,000,000
Undistributed earnings (deficit) of equity method investments	$8,100,000	$8,100,000
Flash Ventures [Member] | SanDisk Corporation [Member]
Related Parties and Strategic Investments
Percentage of ownership with Related party	49.90%

Stockholders_Rights_Plan_Detai

Stockholders Rights Plan (Details Textuals) (Stockholders Rights Plan [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Stockholders Rights Plan [Member]
Stockholders Rights Plan
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights	1
Preferred Shares Purchased Under Stockholders Rights Plan	0.005
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights	$225
Minimum Percentage Of Ownership Required To Exercise Stock Rights Plan	15.00%

Business_Acquisition_Purchase_

Business Acquisition - Purchase Price (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Fusion-io Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition
Cash consideration	$1,256,502
Fair value of assumed equity attributed to pre-combination service	7,041
Total purchase price	1,263,543
SMART Storage Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition
Cash consideration		304,982
Fair value of assumed equity attributed to pre-combination service		136
Total purchase price		$305,118

Business_Acquisition_Business_

Business Acquisition Business Acquisition - Equity Valuation Assumptions (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Fusion-io Inc [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Dividend yield	1.14%
Expected volatility	32.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.00%
Expected term	2 years 7 months
SMART Storage Systems [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Dividend yield		1.60%
Expected volatility		32.00%
Risk-free interest rate		0.33%
Expected term		1 year 4 months

Business_Acquisition_Fair_Valu

Business Acquisition - Fair Values (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition
Goodwill	$831,328	$318,111	$201,735
Fusion-io Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition
Cash	190,336
Accounts receivable, net	67,666
Inventory	76,780
Deferred tax asset, net	54,490
Finite-lived intangible assets	382,000
IPR&D	61,000
Goodwill	513,398
Other non-current assets	30,498
Other current liabilities	-94,016
Other non-current liabilities	-18,609
Total purchase price	1,263,543
SMART Storage Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition
Cash		1,423
Accounts receivable, net		7,827
Inventory		29,331
Deferred taxes - current		921
Other current assets		28,002
Property and equipment		5,734
Deferred tax asset, non-current		3,338
Finite-lived intangible assets		162,200
IPR&D		6,300
Goodwill		115,594
Other non-current assets		149
Accounts payable		-11,746
Other current liabilities		-34,976
Other non-current liabilities		-8,979
Total purchase price		$305,118

Business_Acquisition_Business_1

Business Acquisition Business Acquisition - Fair Value of Intangible Assets (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	$61,000	$42,500
SMART Storage Systems [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		3 years 10 months
IPR&D		6,300
Business Combination, Finite-lived and Infinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired		168,500
SMART Storage Systems [Member] | Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		6,300
SMART Storage Systems [Member] | Developed product technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		4 years 0 months
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired		146,100
SMART Storage Systems [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		4 years 0 months
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired		8,500
SMART Storage Systems [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life		2 years 0 months
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired		7,600
Fusion-io Inc [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	4 years 6 months
IPR&D	61,000
Business Combination, Finite-lived and Infinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	443,000
Fusion-io Inc [Member] | Unclassified Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets	61,000
Fusion-io Inc [Member] | Developed product technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	5 years 0 months
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	271,000
Fusion-io Inc [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	5 years 0 months
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	54,000
Fusion-io Inc [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	1 year 6 months
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$57,000

Business_Acquisition_Details_T

Business Acquisition (Details Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 29, 2013	Jul. 23, 2014
Business Acquisition
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$1,063,798,000	$304,320,000	$69,629,000
Share Price	$101.31			$101.31		$101.31		$94.35
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	181,000	-601,000
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	20,941,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Business Acquisition
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	427,000	183,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$18.96	$16.26	$16.45
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Business Acquisition
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares	445,000		59,000
Fusion-io Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition
Name of acquired entity	Fusionbio, Inc.
Effective date of acquisition agreement				23-Jul-14
Percentage acquired in business combination	100.00%			100.00%		100.00%
Description of acquired entity				a leading developer of flash-based, Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (bPCIeb) hardware and software solutions that enhance application performance in enterprise and hyperscale data centers
Description of primary reason for business combination				The Company expects this acquisition to accelerate its efforts to enable the flash-transformed data center, helping companies better manage increasingly heavy data workloads at a lower total cost of ownership.
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	1,263,543,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	1,070,000,000
Business Acquisition, Share Price	$11.25			$11.25		$11.25
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value				$35.02
Equity Issued in Business Combination, Fair Value Disclosure	49,900,000			49,900,000		49,900,000
Weighted-Average amortization period of intangible assets (in years)	4 years 6 months
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	29,300,000
Business Acquisition, Acquired In-process Research and Development [Abstract]
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate	17.50%
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	9,100,000
Fusion-io Inc [Member] | Direct Acquisition Cost [Member]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	11,700,000				2,600,000	9,100,000
Fusion-io Inc [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Business Acquisition
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares				427,388
Fusion-io Inc [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Business Acquisition
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares				445,072
SMART Storage Systems [Member]
Business Acquisition
Name of acquired entity		SMART Storage Systems
Effective date of acquisition agreement							22-Aug-13
Percentage acquired in business combination		100.00%
Description of acquired entity							a developer of enterprise solid state drives (bSSDsb)
Description of primary reason for business combination							The Company expects this acquisition to enhance its enterprise storage product portfolio.
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		305,118,000
Equity Issued in Business Combination, Fair Value Disclosure		6,800,000
Weighted-Average amortization period of intangible assets (in years)		3 years 10 months
Business Acquisition, Other
Business acquisition seller refund		25,500,000
Business acquisition unsettled liability		25,500,000
SMART Storage Systems [Member] | Direct Acquisition Cost [Member]
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs		$3,100,000
SMART Storage Systems [Member] | Employee Stock Option [Member]
Business Acquisition
Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares		183,069
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		$41.15

Supplementary_Financial_Data_D

Supplementary Financial Data (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenue
Revenue					$6,627,701	$6,170,003	$5,052,509
Gross profit					3,067,848	2,867,483	1,683,220
Operating income					1,557,934	1,562,210	696,095
Net income					1,007,446	1,042,657	417,404
Net income per share:
Basic					$4.52	$4.44	$1.72
Diluted					$4.23	$4.34	$1.70
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.30	$0.30	$0.23	$0.23	$1.05	$0.45	$0
Current Fiscal Year [Member]
Revenue
Revenue	1,735,254	1,746,491	1,634,011	1,511,945
Gross profit	739,770	817,138	759,650	751,290
Operating income	328,310	387,794	416,656	425,174
Net income	201,891	262,661	273,946	268,948
Net income per share:
Basic	$0.93	$1.18	$1.21	$1.19
Diluted	$0.86	$1.09	$1.14	$1.14
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.30	$0.30	$0.23	$0.23
Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Revenue
Revenue								1,727,858	1,625,153	1,476,263	1,340,729
Gross profit								857,155	801,993	676,819	531,516
Operating income								507,413	408,448	392,558	253,791
Net income								$337,780	$276,859	$261,789	$166,229
Net income per share:
Basic								$1.50	$1.20	$1.08	$0.69
Diluted								$1.45	$1.18	$1.06	$0.68
Cash dividends declared per share								$0.23	$0.23	$0	$0