Sandisk 10-Q 30 Apr 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	SANDISK CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1000180
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-2
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	29-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	207,888,232
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	0.001

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$649,940,000	$809,003,000
Short-term marketable securities	1,347,541,000	1,455,509,000
Accounts receivable, net	589,246,000	842,476,000
Inventory	713,053,000	698,011,000
Deferred taxes	162,298,000	180,134,000
Other current assets	290,908,000	214,992,000
Total current assets	3,752,986,000	4,200,125,000
Long-term marketable securities	2,396,950,000	2,758,475,000
Property and equipment, net	769,933,000	724,357,000
Notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	989,678,000	962,817,000
Deferred taxes	157,292,000	161,827,000
Goodwill	831,328,000	831,328,000
Intangible assets, net	437,858,000	542,351,000
Other non-current assets	125,196,000	108,677,000
Total assets	9,461,221,000	10,289,957,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable trade	397,617,000	404,237,000
Accounts payable to related parties	147,870,000	136,051,000
Convertible short-term debt	880,653,000	869,645,000
Other current accrued liabilities	409,434,000	506,293,000
Deferred income on shipments to distributors and retailers and deferred revenue	255,102,000	274,657,000
Total current liabilities	2,090,676,000	2,190,883,000
Convertible long-term debt	1,211,097,000	1,199,696,000
Non-current liabilities	207,334,000	245,554,000
Total liabilities	3,509,107,000	3,636,133,000
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13)
Convertible short-term debt conversion obligation	116,067,000	127,143,000
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	208,000	216,000
Capital in excess of par value	5,143,973,000	5,236,766,000
Retained earnings	876,252,000	1,499,149,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-183,041,000	-208,072,000
Total stockholders' equity	5,837,392,000	6,528,059,000
Non-controlling interests	-1,345,000	-1,378,000
Total equity	5,836,047,000	6,526,681,000
Total liabilities, convertible short-term debt conversion obligation and equity	$9,461,221,000	$10,289,957,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Revenue	$1,332,241,000	$1,511,945,000
Cost of revenue	762,483,000	741,039,000
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	24,756,000	19,616,000
Total cost of revenue	787,239,000	760,655,000
Gross profit	545,002,000	751,290,000
Operating expenses:
Research and development	222,726,000	198,829,000
Sales and marketing	101,820,000	76,972,000
General and administrative	48,047,000	48,669,000
Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets	13,681,000	1,646,000
Impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets	61,000,000	0
Restructuring and other	40,541,000	0
Total operating expenses	487,815,000	326,116,000
Operating income	57,187,000	425,174,000
Interest income	11,025,000	13,244,000
Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net	-34,595,000	-28,879,000
Total other income (expense), net	-23,570,000	-15,635,000
Income before income taxes	33,617,000	409,539,000
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	-5,408,000	140,591,000
Net income	$39,025,000	$268,948,000
Net income per share:
Basic	$0.18	$1.19
Diluted	$0.17	$1.14
Shares used in computing net income per share:
Basic	211,428	225,845
Diluted	224,049	234,914
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.30	$0.23

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Net income	$39,025	$268,948
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Unrealized holding gain on marketable securities	5,198	1,625
Reclassification adjustment for realized gain on marketable securities included in net income	-1,997	-570
Net unrealized holding gain on marketable securities	3,201	1,055
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,254	24,482
Unrealized holding gain on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges	849	13,468
Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges included in net income	11,605	1,564
Net unrealized holding gain on derivatives qualifying as cash flow hedges	12,454	15,032
Total other comprehensive income, before tax	27,909	40,569
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income	2,878	4,148
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	25,031	36,421
Comprehensive income	$64,056	$305,369

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$39,025,000	$268,948,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred taxes	-965,000	6,951,000
Depreciation	69,081,000	60,089,000
Amortization	83,374,000	72,598,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	330,000	-547,000
Share-based compensation expense	41,410,000	30,030,000
Excess tax benefit from share-based plans	-8,865,000	-17,460,000
Impairment and other	63,709,000	0
Other non-operating	-4,187,000	1,020,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	252,899,000	86,689,000
Inventory	-13,945,000	-42,117,000
Other assets	-94,673,000	54,547,000
Accounts payable trade	-26,090,000	-36,546,000
Accounts payable to related parties	11,819,000	13,572,000
Other liabilities	-104,057,000	-115,695,000
Total adjustments	269,840,000	113,131,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	308,865,000	382,079,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of short and long-term marketable securities	-692,656,000	-1,266,899,000
Proceeds from sales of short and long-term marketable securities	1,045,097,000	1,015,605,000
Proceeds from maturities of short and long-term marketable securities	99,881,000	129,620,000
Acquisition of property and equipment, net	-98,287,000	-34,517,000
Notes receivable issuances to Flash Ventures	-100,499,000	-24,352,000
Notes receivable proceeds from Flash Ventures	89,693,000	24,352,000
Purchased technology and other assets	-1,500,000	-869,000
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	2,368,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	341,729,000	-154,692,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of debt financing	-68,000	0
Proceeds from employee stock programs	30,844,000	51,882,000
Excess tax benefit from share-based plans	8,865,000	17,460,000
Dividends paid	-64,503,000	-51,560,000
Stock repurchases	-783,899,000	-114,452,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-808,761,000	-96,670,000
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash	-896,000	-25,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-159,063,000	130,692,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	809,003,000	986,246,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	649,940,000	1,116,938,000
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Property and equipment, net additions not yet paid in cash	$136,584,000	$58,331,000

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure	Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Organization
	These interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited but reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position of SanDisk Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 29, 2015, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2015. The results of operations for the three months ended March 29, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.
	Basis of Presentation. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31 and its fiscal quarters generally consist of 13 weeks. Fiscal year 2015 will include 53 weeks with 14 weeks in the fourth fiscal quarter, while fiscal year 2014 included 52 weeks. The first quarters of fiscal years 2015 and 2014 ended on March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. For accounting and disclosure purposes, the exchange rates of 119.01, 120.44 and 102.69 at March 29, 2015, December 28, 2014 and March 30, 2014, respectively, were used to convert Japanese yen to the U.S. dollar. Throughout the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, unless otherwise indicated, references to Net income refer to Net income attributable to common stockholders, to years or annual periods are references to fiscal years, and to quarters are references to our fiscal quarters.
	Organization and Nature of Operations. 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.
	Principles of Consolidation. The Condensed 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 Condensed 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Condensed 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.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015‑03, “Interest-Imputation of Interest,” to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU No. 2015‑03 is required to be adopted in 2016 but early adoption is allowed. The Company is currently assessing when it will adopt this ASU. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements as the impact is classification only.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015‑05, “Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” The amendments in this update provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. Under application of this guidance, if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the update specifies that the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. A customer should account for a cloud computing arrangement as a service contract if the arrangement does not include a software license. ASU No. 2015‑05 is effective for 2016 and early adoption is allowed. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this update and the timing of adoption.
	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 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. The FASB has indicated that there may be certain future changes to the revenue guidance which could impact revenue relating to the licensing of IP, and on April 29, 2015, the FASB issued an exposure draft proposing the deferral of the effective date by one year.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea

Investments and Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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:
		March 29,			December 28,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	649,940		$	809,003
	Short-term marketable securities	1,347,541			1,455,509
	Long-term marketable securities	2,396,950			2,758,475
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	4,394,431		$	5,022,987
	For certain of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, including cash held in banks, accounts receivable and accounts payable, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities, and those financial assets and liabilities are therefore excluded from the fair value tables below.
	Financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following types of instruments:
		March 29, 2015												December 28, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
		(In thousands)
	Money market funds	$	432,433		$	—		$	—		$	432,433		$	533,133	$	—	$	—		$	533,133
	Fixed income securities	6,815			3,766,129			—			3,772,944			25,162		4,213,599		—			4,238,761
	Derivative assets	—			3,243			—			3,243			—		4,800		—			4,800
	Total financial assets	$	439,248		$	3,769,372		$	—		$	4,208,620		$	558,295	$	4,218,399	$	—		$	4,776,694
	Derivative liabilities	$	—		$	1,448		$	—		$	1,448		$	—	$	8,224	$	—		$	8,224
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	1,448		$	—		$	1,448		$	—	$	8,224	$	—		$	8,224
	Financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis were presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
		March 29, 2015												December 28, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
		(In thousands)
	Cash equivalents(1)	$	432,433		$	28,453		$	—		$	460,886		$	533,133	$	24,777	$	—		$	557,910
	Short-term marketable securities	1,458			1,346,083			—			1,347,541			3,327		1,452,182		—			1,455,509
	Long-term marketable securities	5,357			2,391,593			—			2,396,950			21,835		2,736,640		—			2,758,475
	Other current assets	—			3,243			—			3,243			—		4,800		—			4,800
	Total financial assets	$	439,248		$	3,769,372		$	—		$	4,208,620		$	558,295	$	4,218,399	$	—		$	4,776,694
	Other current accrued liabilities	$	—		$	1,448		$	—		$	1,448		$	—	$	8,224	$	—		$	8,224
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	1,448		$	—		$	1,448		$	—	$	8,224	$	—		$	8,224
	(1)	Cash equivalents exclude cash holdings of $189.1 million and $251.1 million included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively.
	During the three months ended March 29, 2015, the Company had no transfers of financial assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 other than the transfer from Level 2 to Level 1 of the $1.50 billion 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 outstanding due to active market trading directly prior to the end of the first quarter of 2015. During 2014, the Company had no transfers of financial assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2.
	As of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, 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:
		March 29, 2015												December 28, 2014
		Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gain			Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair			Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair
											Value										Value
		(In thousands)
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,797		$	19		$	(1	)	$	6,815		$	25,194	$	—	$	(32	)	$	25,162
	U.S. government-sponsored agency securities	22,414			21			(11		)	22,424			7,511		—		(18		)	7,493
	International government securities	58,032			80			(21		)	58,091			82,033		—		(314		)	81,719
	Corporate notes and bonds	635,937			1,340			(411		)	636,866			774,869		325		(2,052		)	773,142
	Asset-backed securities	138,814			84			(86		)	138,812			171,221		42		(353		)	170,910
	Mortgage-backed securities	31,253			63			(108		)	31,208			48,378		6		(173		)	48,211
	Municipal notes and bonds	2,871,130			8,677			(1,079		)	2,878,728			3,124,189		9,733		(1,798		)	3,132,124
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	3,764,377		$	10,284		$	(1,717	)	$	3,772,944		$	4,233,395	$	10,106	$	(4,740	)	$	4,238,761
	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 March 29, 2015, are summarized in the following table. 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			Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair			Gross Unrealized Loss
		Value						Value
		(In thousands)
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	1,570		$	(1	)	$	—		$	—
	U.S. government-sponsored agency securities	4,486			(11		)	—			—
	International government securities	22,853			(21		)	—			—
	Corporate notes and bonds	204,004			(404		)	4,413			(7		)
	Asset-backed securities	74,869			(84		)	1,248			(2		)
	Mortgage-backed securities	13,923			(88		)	4,942			(20		)
	Municipal notes and bonds	452,495			(1,014		)	15,042			(65		)
	Total	$	774,200		$	(1,623	)	$	25,645		$	(94	)
	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 March 29, 2015 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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Realized gains	$	2,320		$	1,013
Realized losses	(323		)	(443		)
Net realized gains	$	1,997		$	570
Fixed income securities by contractual maturity as of March 29, 2015 are shown below. 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
	(In thousands)
Due in one year or less	$	711,897		$	713,355
After one year through five years	2,262,309			2,268,567
After five years through ten years	120,900			120,993
After ten years	669,271			670,029
Total	$	3,764,377		$	3,772,944
For those financial instruments where the carrying amounts differ from fair value, the following table represents the related carrying values and fair values, which are based on quoted market prices. The 1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and the 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 were both categorized as Level 1, based on the frequency of trading of each respective convertible note directly prior to the end of the first quarter of 2015. As of December 28, 2014, the 1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 was categorized as Level 1 and the 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 was classified as Level 2, both based on the frequency of trading of each respective convertible note directly prior to the end of 2014. See Note 7, “Financing Arrangements,” regarding details of each convertible note presented.
	March 29, 2015						December 28, 2014
	Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017	$	880,653		$	1,363,792		$	869,645		$	1,948,721
0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020	1,211,097			1,537,500			1,199,696			1,789,500
Total	$	2,091,750		$	2,901,292		$	2,069,341		$	3,738,221
As of March 29, 2015, and December 28, 2014, the Company has aggregate net investments under the cost method of accounting of $30.1 million and $29.3 million, respectively, and these investments consisted of privately-held equity securities without a readily determinable fair value. These privately-held equity investments are reported under Other non-current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure	Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	Cash Flow Hedges. The Company uses foreign exchange forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to hedge a portion of future forecasted wafer purchases in Japanese yen. The gain or loss on the effective portion of a cash flow hedge is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) and subsequently reclassified into cost of revenue in the same period or periods in which the cost of revenue is 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).
	Net Investment Hedges. To help protect certain foreign currency denominated equity method investments from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the Company may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to partially hedge the changes in the carrying amounts of these investments due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign exchange forward contracts designated as net investment hedges relate to the underlying value of the Company’s equity method investments in Japanese yen. The effective portion of a net investment hedge is initially recorded in AOCI as a part of foreign currency translation. Cumulative gains and losses including forward points associated with foreign exchange forward contracts designated as net investment hedges would be reclassified to other income (expense) from AOCI upon sale or substantial liquidation of the foreign equity method investments. The ineffective portions of net investment hedges are recognized immediately as other income (expense).
	As of March 29, 2015, the notional amount and unrealized gain on the effective portion of the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts to purchase Japanese yen that are designated as cash flow and sell Japanese yen that are designated as net investment hedges are shown in both Japanese yen and U.S. dollar, based upon the exchange rate at March 29, 2015, as follows:
		Notional Amount						Unrealized Gain
		(Japanese yen, in billions)			(U.S. dollar, in thousands)			(U.S. dollar, in thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts:
	Cash flow hedges	¥	9		$	75,671		$	580
	Net investment hedges	(20.0		)	(167,980		)	1,312
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	¥	(11.0	)	$	(92,309	)	$	1,892
	As of March 29, 2015, the maturities of the cash flow hedges were two months or less and the maturities of the net investment hedges were four 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 March 29, 2015 with realized and unrealized gains and losses included in other income (expense). As of March 29, 2015, the Company had foreign exchange forward contracts hedging balance sheet remeasurement 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 $226.3 million and $162.3 million in foreign currencies, respectively, based upon the exchange rates at March 29, 2015.
	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:
		Derivative assets reported in
		Other Current Assets						Other Non-current Assets
		March 29,			December 28,			March 29,			December 28,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	$	2,643		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	600			4,800			—			—
	Total derivatives	$	3,243		$	4,800		$	—		$	—
		Derivative liabilities reported in
		Other Current Accrued Liabilities						Non-current Liabilities
		March 29,			December 28,			March 29,			December 28,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	$	—		$	1,472		$	—		$	—
	Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	1,448			6,752			—			—
	Total derivatives	$	1,448		$	8,224		$	—		$	—
	As of March 29, 2015, the potential effect of rights of set-off associated with the above foreign exchange forward contracts would result in a net derivative asset balance of $3.1 million and a net derivative liability balance of $1.3 million. As of December 28, 2014, the potential effect of rights of set-off would result in a net derivative asset balance of $2.8 million and a net derivative liability balance of $6.3 million.
	Effect of Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Designated as Cash Flow and Net Investment Hedges on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. All designated cash flow and net investment hedge derivative contracts were considered effective for each of the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014. The impact of the effective portion of designated cash flow and net investment derivative contracts on the Company’s results of operations was as follows:
		Three months ended
		Amount of loss						Amount of loss reclassified
		recognized in OCI						from AOCI to earnings
		March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts:
	Cash flow hedges	$	849		$	13,468		$	(11,605	)	$	(1,564	)
	Net investment hedges	1,312			—			—			—
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	2,161		$	13,468		$	(11,605	)	$	(1,564	)
	The Company expects to realize the majority of the AOCI balance related to cash flow hedges within the next 12 months. Cumulative gains and losses on net investment hedges recognized in AOCI would be reclassified to other income (expense) from AOCI upon sale or substantial liquidation of the foreign equity method investments.
	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):
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(159	)	$	(458	)
	Effect of Non-Designated Derivative Contracts on the Condensed 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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Gain (loss) on foreign exchange forward contracts including forward point income	$	(559	)	$	2,186
	Loss from revaluation of foreign currency exposures hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(3,306	)	$	(1,743	)

Balance_Sheet_Information

Balance Sheet Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Balance Sheet Information	Balance Sheet Information
	Accounts Receivable, net. Accounts receivable, net was as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Accounts receivable	$	780,504			$	1,134,254
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(8,784		)		(9,622		)
	Promotions, price protection and other activities	(182,474		)		(282,156		)
	Total accounts receivable, net	$	589,246			$	842,476
	Inventory. Inventory was as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Raw material	$	366,388			$	369,860
	Work-in-process	109,101				138,594
	Finished goods	237,564				189,557
	Total inventory	$	713,053			$	698,011
	Other Current Assets. Other current assets were as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Income tax receivables	$	95,217			$	18,579
	Other tax-related receivables	73,528				84,432
	Other non-trade receivables	68,947				69,033
	Prepaid expenses	20,878				18,579
	Other current assets	32,338				24,369
	Total other current assets	$	290,908			$	214,992
	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:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Notes receivable, Flash Partners Ltd.	$	28,569			$	12,454
	Notes receivable, Flash Alliance Ltd.	297,034				292,677
	Notes receivable, Flash Forward Ltd.	157,550				161,906
	Investment in Flash Partners Ltd.	170,036				167,102
	Investment in Flash Alliance Ltd.	254,652				249,459
	Investment in Flash Forward Ltd.	81,837				79,219
	Total notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	$	989,678			$	962,817
	Equity-method investments and the Company’s maximum loss exposure related to Flash Ventures are discussed further in Note 13, “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees – Flash Ventures” and Note 14, “Related Parties and Strategic Investments.”
	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:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Prepaid tax on intercompany transactions	$	33,179			$	33,375
	Long-term income tax receivable	20,454				—
	Other non-current assets	71,563				75,302
	Total other non-current assets	$	125,196			$	108,677
	Other Current Accrued Liabilities. Other current accrued liabilities were as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Accrued payroll and related expenses	$	152,663			$	233,702
	Taxes payable	34,877				74,079
	Derivative contract payables	1,448				8,224
	Other current accrued liabilities	220,446				190,288
	Total other current accrued liabilities	$	409,434			$	506,293
	Non-current Liabilities. Non-current liabilities were as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Income tax liabilities	$	126,327			$	132,320
	Deferred revenue	22,792				31,066
	Deferred tax liabilities	239				22,360
Other non-current liabilities	57,976				59,808
Total non-current liabilities	$	207,334			$	245,554
Warranties. The liability for warranty expense is included in Other current accrued liabilities and Non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the activity was as follows:
	Three months ended
	March 29,				March 30,
	2015				2014
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period	$	48,555			$	43,624
Additions and adjustments to cost of revenue	244				7,431
Usage	(4,167		)		(3,490		)
Balance, end of period	$	44,632			$	47,565
Additions and adjustments to cost of revenue in the three months ended March 29, 2015 included adjustments to certain warranty assumptions, related to future potential claims, resulting in a $3.1 million reduction to the overall future warranty exposure.
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). AOCI presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, foreign currency translation and cash flow hedging activities, net of tax, for all periods presented:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Accumulated net unrealized gain (loss) on:
	Available-for-sale investments	$	5,461			$	3,359
	Foreign currency translation	(186,777		)		(197,252		)
	Cash flow hedging activities	(1,725		)		(14,179		)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(183,041	)		$	(208,072	)
	The amount of income tax expense allocated to the unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation activities was as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 29,				March 30,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Available-for-sale investments	$	1,099			$	377
	Foreign currency translation	1,779				3,771
	Total income tax expense allocated	$	2,878			$	4,148
	The significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI were as follows:
			Three months ended
	AOCI Component		March 29,				March 30,			Statement of Operations
			2015				2014			Line Item
			(In thousands)
	Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments		$	1,997			$	570		Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net
	Tax impact		(722		)		(195		)	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
	Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments, net of tax		1,275				375
	Unrealized holding loss on cash flow hedging activities:
	Foreign exchange contracts		(11,605		)		(1,361		)	Cost of revenue
	Foreign exchange contracts		—				(203		)	Research and development
	Loss on cash flow hedging activities		(11,605		)		(1,564		)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(10,330	)		$	(1,189	)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill. Goodwill balances as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014 were as follows:
		Carrying
		Amount
		(In thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year and end of period	$	831,328
	Intangible Assets. Intangible asset balances were as follows:
		March 29, 2015
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment			Net Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
	Developed product technology	$	451,560	$	(117,050	)	$	—		$	334,510
	Customer relationships	64,600		(31,459		)	—			33,141
	Trademarks and trade names	62,500		(10,626		)	—			51,874
	Acquisition-related intangible assets	578,660		(159,135		)	—			419,525
	Technology licenses and patents	102,000		(83,667		)	—			18,333
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	680,660		(242,802		)	—			437,858
	Acquired in-process research and development	61,000		—			(61,000		)	—
	Total intangible assets	$	741,660	$	(242,802	)	$	(61,000	)	$	437,858
		December 28, 2014
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
	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
	During the three months ended March 29, 2015, $61.0 million of in-process research and development (“IPR&D”) was impaired. The Company performs tests for impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or circumstances suggest that long-lived assets may be impaired. In the first quarter of 2015, due to a decline in revenue from previous forecasts and changes to the product development schedule related to an IPR&D project from the Fusion‑io, Inc. (“Fusion‑io”) acquisition, the Company performed impairment tests on the acquisition-related amortizable intangible and IPR&D assets for this acquisition. The Company reviewed the forecasts for the Fusion‑io IPR&D project and determined to cancel this project in order to reduce the number of platforms under development, resulting in no future attributable cash flows and a full impairment of the IPR&D asset of $61.0 million which was recorded in the first quarter of 2015. The project has been abandoned and resources have been redirected towards the next-generation PCIe and converged enterprise platform. In testing the recoverability of the Fusion‑io acquisition-related amortizable intangible assets, the Company determined that there was no impairment. The impairment test is based upon the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available related to the intangible assets. While the declines in revenue did not indicate that an impairment of the Fusion‑io acquisition-related intangible assets is required at this time, the Company will continue to monitor any events or circumstances that could indicate the acquisition-related amortizable intangible assets are impaired. As of March 29, 2015, the net book value of the Fusion‑io acquisition-related amortizable intangible assets was $313.3 million, some or all of which could be subject to impairment. In connection with the impairment analysis, the Company reduced the expected life of the acquisition-related amortizable developed technology intangible assets from the Fusion‑io acquisition from five years to four years, and will amortize the remaining net carrying amount of this developed technology intangible asset over the next 40 months.
	The annual expected amortization expense of intangible assets subject to amortization as of March 29, 2015 was as follows:
		Acquisition-related Intangible Assets		Technology Licenses and Patents
		(In thousands)
	Year:
	2015 (remaining 9 months)	$	126,133	$	15,000
	2016	126,231		3,333
	2017	107,176		—
	2018	53,160		—
	2019	6,825		—
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$	419,525	$	18,333

Financing_Arrangements

Financing Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Financing Arrangements	Financing Arrangements
	The following table reflects the carrying values of the Company’s convertible debt:
		March 29,			December 28,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	1.5% Notes due 2017	$	996,720		$	996,788
	Less: Unamortized bond discount	(116,067		)	(127,143		)
	Net carrying amount of 1.5% Notes due 2017	880,653			869,645
	0.5% Notes due 2020	1,500,000			1,500,000
	Less: Unamortized bond discount	(288,903		)	(300,304		)
	Net carrying amount of 0.5% Notes due 2020	1,211,097			1,199,696
	Total convertible debt	2,091,750			2,069,341
	Less: Convertible short-term debt	(880,653		)	(869,645		)
	Convertible long-term debt	$	1,211,097		$	1,199,696
	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 March 29, 2015, the conversion rate was adjusted for dividends paid to date to 19.5456 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents 19.5 million shares at a conversion price of approximately $51.16 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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Contractual interest coupon	$	3,738		$	3,750
	Amortization of bond issuance costs	665			667
	Amortization of bond discount	10,873			10,192
	Total interest cost recognized	$	15,276		$	14,609
	The effective interest rate on the liability component of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 was 6.85% for each of the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014. The remaining unamortized bond discount of $116.1 million as of March 29, 2015 will be amortized over the remaining life of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, which is approximately 2.4 years.
	As of the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2015, the 1.5% Notes due 2017 were convertible at the holders’ option through June 30, 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 March 31, 2015. 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 $116.1 million of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 was reclassified from Stockholders’ equity to Convertible short-term debt conversion obligation on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 29, 2015, 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 March 29, 2015 of $64.59 for the Company’s common stock, if all of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 then outstanding were converted, 4.0 million shares would be distributed to the holders.
	During the three months ended March 29, 2015, $68 thousand aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 (“Converted Notes”) was converted at the holders’ option, and the Company delivered cash of $68 thousand and 505 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 an immaterial loss during the quarter ended March 29, 2015 related to the extinguishment of the Converted Notes. As of March 29, 2015, after conversion of $3.3 million aggregate principal amount of the Converted Notes, the remaining aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017 outstanding was $996.7 million.
	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 March 29, 2015, unamortized deferred issuance cost was $4.5 million.
	Concurrently with the issuance of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, the Company purchased a convertible bond hedge in which counterparties initially 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 convertible bond hedge agreement 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 March 29, 2015, the counterparties agreed to sell to the Company up to approximately 19.5 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 $51.16 per share as of March 29, 2015. 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. Through March 29, 2015, the Company had received 27,124 shares of the Company’s common stock from the exercise of a portion of the convertible bond hedge related to the conversion of $3.3 million aggregate principal amount of the 1.5% Notes due 2017.
	In addition, concurrent with the issuance of the 1.5% Notes due 2017, the Company sold 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 warrant agreement 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 March 29, 2015, holders of the warrants may acquire up to approximately 19.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of $71.6276 per share as of March 29, 2015. 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 March 29, 2015, 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 March 29, 2015, the conversion rate was adjusted for dividends in excess of $0.225 per share paid to date to 10.8750 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (which represents 16.3 million shares at a conversion price of approximately $91.95 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 March 29, 2015, 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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Contractual interest coupon	$	1,875		$	1,875
	Amortization of bond issuance costs	627			659
	Amortization of bond discount	11,254			10,771
	Total interest cost recognized	$	13,756		$	13,305
	The effective interest rate on the liability component of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 was 4.43% for the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014. The remaining unamortized bond discount of $288.9 million as of March 29, 2015 will be amortized over the remaining life of the 0.5% Notes due 2020, which is approximately 5.6 years.
	As of March 29, 2015, 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 March 29, 2015, unamortized deferred issuance cost was $10.7 million.
	Concurrently with the issuance of the 0.5% Notes due 2020, the Company purchased a convertible bond hedge in which 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 convertible bond hedge agreement 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 March 29, 2015, the 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 issuable upon conversion of the 0.5% Notes due 2020 in full, at a price of $91.95 per share as of March 29, 2015. 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. As of March 29, 2015, the Company had not purchased any shares under this convertible bond hedge agreement. 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.
	In addition, concurrent with the issuance of the 0.5% Notes due 2020, the Company sold 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 warrant agreement 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 March 29, 2015, holders of the warrants may acquire up to approximately 16.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a strike price of $122.6054 per share as of March 29, 2015. 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 March 29, 2015, 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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 2013.  In July 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program of $2.50 billion and in January 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors increased the stock repurchase program by an additional $2.50 billion. As of March 29, 2015, $2.38 billion remained available for stock repurchases. 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 programs, from the fourth quarter of 2011 through March 29, 2015, the Company spent an aggregate $3.87 billion to repurchase 54.7 million shares. Included in the aggregate repurchase activity are 9.3 million shares that were repurchased for an aggregate amount of $750.0 million during the three months ended March 29, 2015. In addition to repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program, during the three months ended March 29, 2015, the Company spent $33.8 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.

Stockholders_Equity_and_ShareB

Stockholders Equity and Share-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Dividend Declaration	Dividends
	During the three months ended March 29, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared the following dividend:
	Declaration Date		Dividend per Share				Record Date		Total Amount Declared				Payment Date
									(In millions)
	January 20, 2015		$	0.3			March 2, 2015		$	65.9			March 23, 2015
	On April 14, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.30 per share for holders of record as of May 4, 2015, which is to be paid on May 26, 2015. Future dividends are subject to declaration by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-based Benefit Plans
	Share-based Plans. The Company has a share-based compensation program that provides its Board of Directors with broad discretion in creating equity incentives for employees, officers, non-employee board members and non-employee service providers. This program includes incentive and non-statutory stock option awards, stock appreciation right awards (“SARs”), RSU awards, performance-based cash bonus awards for Section 16 executive officers and an automatic grant program for non-employee board members pursuant to which such individuals will receive option grants or other stock awards at designated intervals over their period of board service. These awards are granted under various programs, all of which are stockholder approved. Stock option awards generally vest as follows: 25% of the shares vest on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and the remaining 75% vest proportionately each quarter over the next 12 quarters of continued service. RSU awards generally vest in equal annual installments over a four-year period. Grants to non-employee board members generally vest in one installment on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the grant date or (ii) the day immediately preceding the next annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders following the grant date. Additionally, the Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) that allows employees to purchase shares of common stock at 85% of the fair market value at the subscription date or the date of purchase, whichever is lower.
	Valuation Assumptions
	Option Plan Shares. The fair value of the Company’s stock options granted to employees, officers and non-employee board members was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
	Dividend yield	1.52%		1.25%
	Expected volatility	0.32		0.32
	Risk-free interest rate	1.18%		1.22%
	Expected term	4.2 years		4.4 years
	Estimated annual forfeiture rate	8.79%		8.51%
	Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$19.56		$18.53
	RSU Plan Shares. The fair value of the Company’s RSU awards granted 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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
	Dividend yield	1.52%		1.25%
	Expected volatility	0.36		0.31
	Risk-free interest rate	0.07%		0.08%
	Expected term	½ year		½ year
	Weighted-average fair value at purchase date	$20.20		$17.25
	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 March 29, 2015 and changes during the three months ended March 29, 2015 are presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share				Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(In thousands)							(Years)		(In thousands)
	Options and SARs outstanding as of December 28, 2014	4,090				$51.94			4.5		$	202,044
	Granted	936				$82.30
	Exercised	(266	)			$41.25					$	163,623
	Forfeited	(38	)			$62.41
	Expired	(2	)			$27.02
	Options and SARs outstanding as of March 29, 2015	4,720				$58.49			4.8		$	58,404
	Options and SARs vested and expected to vest after March 29, 2015, net of forfeitures	4,384				$57.35			4.7		$	57,300
	Options and SARs exercisable as of March 29, 2015	1,853				$44.26			3.4		$	40,054
	As of March 29, 2015, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, was approximately $44.1 million, and this amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years. As of March 29, 2015, 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 months ended March 29, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share				Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(In thousands)							(In thousands)
	Non-vested share units as of December 28, 2014	5,587				$67.18			$	375,366
	Granted	2,043				$81.98
	Vested	(1,332	)			$59.78			$	109,863
	Forfeited	(124	)			$77.21
	Non-vested share units as of March 29, 2015	6,174				$67.18			$	453,805
	The number of restricted stock units vested includes shares of common stock that the Company withheld on behalf of employees to satisfy the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. Total payments for the employees’ tax obligations to taxing authorities are reflected as a financing activity within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. These net-share settlements had the effect of share repurchases by the Company as they reduced and retired the number of shares that would have otherwise been issued as a result of the vesting. See Note 8, “Stock Repurchases.”
	As of March 29, 2015, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs, net of estimated forfeitures, was approximately $346.1 million, and this amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.9 years.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan. As of March 29, 2015, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to ESPP was approximately $5.5 million, and this amount is expected to be recognized over a period of five months.
	Share-based Compensation Expense. The following tables set forth the detailed allocation of the share-based compensation expense:
		Three months ended
		March 29,				March 30,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Share‑based compensation expense by caption:
	Cost of revenue	$	4,062			$	2,610
	Research and development	21,043				15,675
	Sales and marketing	9,535				6,257
	General and administrative	6,770				5,488
	Total share‑based compensation expense	41,410				30,030
	Total tax benefit recognized	(11,069		)		(8,776		)
	Decrease in net income	$	30,341			$	21,254
	Share‑based compensation expense by type of award:
	Stock options	$	8,028			$	7,924
	RSUs	30,225				19,465
ESPP	3,157				2,641
Total share‑based compensation expense	41,410				30,030
Total tax benefit recognized	(11,069		)		(8,776		)
Decrease in net income	$	30,341			$	21,254
Share-based compensation expense of $5.4 million and $4.3 million related to manufacturing personnel was capitalized into inventory as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively.
The total grant date fair value of options and RSUs vested during the period was as follows:
	Three months ended
	March 29,				March 30,
	2015				2014
	(In thousands)
Options	$	10,787			$	10,228
RSUs	79,628				49,866
Total grant date fair value of options and RSUs vested during the period	$	90,415			$	60,094

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate

Restructuring and Other Related Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure	Restructuring and Other
	The Company recorded the following in Restructuring and other:
		Three months ended
		March 29,
		2015
		(In thousands)
	Restructuring costs	$	4,250
	Other costs	36,291
	Total restructuring and other	$	40,541
	Restructuring Costs. During 2014, the Company implemented a restructuring plan which primarily consisted of reductions in workforce in certain functions of the organization, 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. The restructuring costs under this plan for the three months ended March 29, 2015 were $4.3 million, related primarily to an excess lease obligation, and severance and benefits for involuntary terminations. All expenses, including adjustments, associated with the restructuring plan are included in Restructuring and other in the Condensed 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 March 29, 2015:
		Severance and Benefits			Other			Total
					Charges
		(In thousands)
	Accrual balance at December 28, 2014	$	4,771		$	40		$	4,811
	Charges	1,147			3,128			4,275
	Adjustments	(25		)	—			(25		)
	Cash payments	(3,868		)	(85		)	(3,952		)
	Non-cash items	—			(1,126		)	(1,126		)
	Accrual balance at March 29, 2015	$	2,025		$	1,957		$	3,983
	The Company anticipates that the remaining restructuring reserve balance will be paid out in cash through the second quarter of 2015 for employee terminations and over the remaining lease term through 2021 for the excess lease obligation.
	Other Costs. During the three months ended March 29, 2015, the Company recognized other costs of $36.3 million related primarily to legal settlements and also to Fusion‑io post-merger integration expenses.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes	Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes
	The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rate:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands, except percentages)
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(5,408	)	$	140,591
	Tax rate	(16.1		%)	34.3		%
	The negative tax rate for the three months ended March 29, 2015 is primarily attributable to a discrete benefit recorded as a result of tax audit settlements and a low pre-tax profit due to an impairment charge related to an IPR&D intangible asset. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 29, 2015 prior to discrete items differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% due primarily to the tax impact of earnings from foreign operations, state taxes, non-deductibility of certain share-based compensation and tax-exempt interest income. Earnings and taxes resulting from foreign operations are largely attributable to the Company’s Chinese, Irish, Israeli, Japanese and Malaysian entities. Earnings in these countries where tax rates are lower than the U.S. notional rate contributed to the majority of the difference between the rate of the Company’s tax provision and the U.S. statutory tax rate. As of March 29, 2015, the Company believes that most of its deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized, except for certain loss and credit carry forwards in certain U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions.
	As of March 29, 2015, the Company had not made a provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on $1.29 billion 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.
	Unrecognized tax benefits were $120.4 million and $125.2 million as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively. Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate in the future were approximately $94.6 million at March 29, 2015. Income tax expense for the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 included interest and penalties of ($3.2) million and $0.7 million, respectively. It is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $33.4 million within the next 12 months as a result of the expiration of statutes of limitations and potential settlements of tax authority examinations. 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 March 29, 2015.
	The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income taxes in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. In the first quarter of 2015, the Company received and signed the closing agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) related to the examination of the Company’s federal income tax returns for 2009 through 2011 and finalized audits with various state tax authorities. During the three months ended March 29, 2015, the Company recorded a discrete benefit of $20.9 million as a result of several audit settlements. 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 tax holidays in Malaysia that begin to expire in December 2028. The impact of the tax holidays was immaterial to all periods presented.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Numerator for basic net income per share:
	Net income	$	39,025	$	268,948
	Denominator for basic net income per share:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	211,428		225,845
	Basic net income per share	$	0.18	$	1.19
	Numerator for diluted net income per share:
	Net income	$	39,025	$	268,948
	Denominator for diluted net income per share:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	211,428		225,845
	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	2,581		3,103
	1.5% Notes due 2017	7,427		5,702
	Warrants issued in conjunction with the 1.5% Notes due 2017	2,613		264
	Shares used in computing diluted net income per share	224,049		234,914
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.17	$	1.14
	Anti-dilutive shares excluded from net income per share calculation	34,262		33,000
	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 0.5% Notes due 2020, and warrants issued in conjunction with 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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 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 March 29, 2015, the Company had notes receivable from Flash Partners of $28.6 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 March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, the Company had an equity investment in Flash Partners of $170.0 million and $167.1 million, respectively, denominated in Japanese yen, adjusted by ($5.3) million and ($7.3) million, respectively, of cumulative translation adjustments recorded in AOCI. Flash Partners’ share of the Fab 3 fabrication facility is fully equipped.
	Flash Alliance. Flash Alliance Ltd. (“Flash Alliance”) was formed in 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 March 29, 2015, the Company had notes receivable from Flash Alliance of $297.0 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 March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, the Company had an equity investment in Flash Alliance of $254.7 million and $249.5 million, respectively, denominated in Japanese yen, adjusted by ($42.5) million and ($45.5) million, respectively, of cumulative translation adjustments recorded in AOCI. Flash Alliance’s share of the Fab 4 fabrication facility is fully equipped.
	Flash Forward. Flash Forward Ltd. (“Flash Forward”) was formed in 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. Phase 2 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 March 29, 2015, the Company had notes receivable from Flash Forward of $157.6 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 March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, the Company had an equity investment in Flash Forward of $81.8 million and $79.2 million, respectively, denominated in Japanese yen, adjusted by ($27.4) million and ($28.4) 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.
	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 March 29, 2015, the total amount of the Company’s guarantee obligation of Flash Ventures’ master lease agreements, which reflects future payments and any lease adjustments, was 72.2 billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606 million, based upon the exchange rate at March 29, 2015.
	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 March 29, 2015, Flash Ventures was in compliance with all of its master lease covenants, including the stockholders’ equity covenant with the Company’s stockholders’ equity at $5.84 billion as of March 29, 2015. 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 and U.S. dollar-equivalent based upon the exchange rate at March 29, 2015:
	Master Lease Agreements by Execution Date		Lease Type		Lease Amounts								Expiration
					(Japanese yen, in billions)				(U.S. dollar, in thousands)
	Flash Partners:
	Mar-12		Refinanced		¥	1.6			$	13,367			2015
	Mar-14		Initial		4.4				36,719				2019
	Dec-14		Initial		3.2				27,255				2019
					9.2				77,341
	Flash Alliance:
	Mar-12		Initial		4.8				40,115				2017
	Jul-12		Refinanced		8.9				74,880				2017
	Mar-14		Initial		4.3				35,799				2019
	May-14		Initial		5.7				48,041				2019
	Aug-14		Initial		6				50,859				2019
	Dec-14		Initial		5				41,916				2019
	Mar-15		Initial		10				83,956				2020
					44.7				375,566
	Flash Forward:
	Nov-11		Initial		6.9				58,353				2016
	Mar-12		Initial		4.5				38,000				2017
	Jul-12		Initial		1.9				15,337				2017
	Dec-14		Initial		5				41,896				2019
					18.3				153,586
	Total guarantee obligations				¥	72.2			$	606,493
	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 March 29, 2015 in U.S. dollars based upon the Japanese yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate at March 29, 2015:
	Annual Installments		Payment of Principal Amortization				Purchase Option Exercise Price at Final Lease Terms				Guarantee Amount
			(In thousands)
	Year 1		$	158,063			$	15,254			$	173,317
	Year 2		130,987				22,660				153,647
	Year 3		83,840				46,528				130,368
	Year 4		54,331				13,775				68,106
	Year 5		28,927				36,239				65,166
	Year 6		2,120				13,769				15,889
	Total guarantee obligations		$	458,268			$	148,225			$	606,493
	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 March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, no amounts have been accrued in the Condensed 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 March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, 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 March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, no amounts have been accrued in the Condensed 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 March 29, 2015, 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 March 29, 2015 were as follows:
			Total				1 Year (Remaining 9 months in 2015)				2 - 3 Years (2016 and 2017)			4 - 5 Years (2018 and 2019)		More than 5 Years (Beyond 2019)
			(In thousands)
	Facility and other operating leases		$	64,335		(4)	$	12,202			$	21,821		$	15,802	$	14,510
	Flash Ventures and other related commitments(1)		3,324,907			(4)(5)	1,000,762				1,296,618			754,370		273,157
	Convertible senior notes(2)		2,579,120				14,976				1,041,644			15,000		1,507,500
	Noncancelable production purchase commitments(3)		266,366			(4)	257,016				9,350			—		—
	Capital equipment purchase commitments		96,602				96,490				66			46		—
	Operating expense commitments		60,915				59,963				952			—		—
	Total contractual cash obligations		$	6,392,245			$	1,441,409			$	2,370,451		$	785,218	$	1,795,167
	(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, including research and development. Funding commitments assume no additional operating lease guarantees; additional operating lease guarantees can reduce funding commitments.
	(2)	Includes principal and interest on both the 1.5% Notes due 2017 and the 0.5% Notes due 2020. See Note 7, “Financing Arrangements.”
	(3)	Includes production purchase commitments to Flash Ventures and other suppliers.
(4)	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 March 29, 2015.
(5)	Excludes amounts related to the master lease agreements’ purchase option exercise price at final lease term.
The Company has excluded $126.3 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 March 29, 2015. 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:
		March 29,
		2015
		(In thousands)
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)		$	606,493
(1)	The Company’s guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 72.2 billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606 million based upon the exchange rate at March 29, 2015.
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 2015 through 2026. Future minimum lease payments are presented below:
		Future minimum lease payments
		(In thousands)
Year:
2015 (Remaining 9 months)		$	12,628
2016		11,986
2017		9,981
2018		8,791
2019		7,011
2020 and thereafter		14,510
Operating leases, gross		64,907
Sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases		(572		)
Operating leases, net		$	64,335
Net rent expense was as follows:
	Three months ended
	March 29,				March 30,
	2015				2014
	(In thousands)
Rent expense, net	$	4,080			$	1,624

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_

Related Parties and Strategic Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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 13, “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 variable interest entities (“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 $503.8 million and $460.1 million during the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. The Company received loan repayments from Flash Ventures of $89.7 million and $24.4 million during the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. At March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, the Company had accounts payable balances due to Flash Ventures of $147.9 million and $136.1 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. 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.
		March 29,		December 28,
		2015		2014
		(In millions)
	Notes receivable	$	483	$	467
	Equity investments	507		496
	Operating lease guarantees	606		551
	Maximum estimable loss exposure	$	1,596	$	1,514
	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 Condensed 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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014.

Litigation

Litigation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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 sought a declaratory judgment that 12 Round Rock patents are invalid and/or not infringed by flash memory products sold by the Company. Round Rock later withdrew 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 alleged 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 was 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 were not at issue in the matters described above.
	On March 27, 2015, the Company entered into a confidential settlement agreement with Round Rock resolving all pending litigation between the parties, which matters were subsequently dismissed with prejudice.
	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, and the Company has filed a motion for summary judgment as to all of the plaintiffs’ asserted claims. Both motions are fully briefed and have been taken under submission by the District Court. A trial date of June 22, 2015, as previously set by the District Court, has since been vacated.
	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. On February 13, 2015, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss, which is fully briefed and is set for hearing on May 8, 2015. The District Court has stayed discovery until after completion of the pleading stage.
	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, which the U.S. Supreme Court subsequently denied. On February 3, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint in the District Court. On February 27, 2015, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss, which is fully briefed and is set for hearing on May 8, 2015. The District Court has stayed discovery until after completion of the pleading stage.
	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 in January 2015. The former employee was convicted and, in March 2015, was sentenced to five years of imprisonment and a fine of 3 million yen.
	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 March 26, 2015, the federal court granted the Company’s motion to remand the case to state court and denied Hynix’s motions to compel arbitration and dismiss the case on inconvenient forum grounds.
	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 February 12, 2015, the Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss, with leave to amend.
	Federal Securities Class Action Against SanDisk et al. On March 30, 2015, the Company and certain of its officers were named in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Glore v. SanDisk Corp. et al.). The complaint is allegedly brought on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company’s securities between October 16, 2014 and March 25, 2015, and alleges violations of federal securities laws arising out of alleged misstatements or omissions by the defendants during the alleged class period. The complaint seeks, among other things, compensatory damages and attorneys’ fees and costs on behalf of the putative class.

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si1

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Nature of Operations, Policy	Organization
	These interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited but reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position of SanDisk Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 29, 2015, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10‑K filed with the SEC on February 10, 2015. The results of operations for the three months ended March 29, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.
	Organization and Nature of Operations. 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 and its fiscal quarters generally consist of 13 weeks. Fiscal year 2015 will include 53 weeks with 14 weeks in the fourth fiscal quarter, while fiscal year 2014 included 52 weeks. The first quarters of fiscal years 2015 and 2014 ended on March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. For accounting and disclosure purposes, the exchange rates of 119.01, 120.44 and 102.69 at March 29, 2015, December 28, 2014 and March 30, 2014, respectively, were used to convert Japanese yen to the U.S. dollar. Throughout the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, unless otherwise indicated, references to Net income refer to Net income attributable to common stockholders, to years or annual periods are references to fiscal years, and to quarters are references to our fiscal quarters.
Consolidation, Policy	Principles of Consolidation. The Condensed 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 Condensed 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 Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Condensed 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.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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:
		March 29,			December 28,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	649,940		$	809,003
	Short-term marketable securities	1,347,541			1,455,509
	Long-term marketable securities	2,396,950			2,758,475
	Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	4,394,431		$	5,022,987
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:
		March 29, 2015												December 28, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
		(In thousands)
	Money market funds	$	432,433		$	—		$	—		$	432,433		$	533,133	$	—	$	—		$	533,133
	Fixed income securities	6,815			3,766,129			—			3,772,944			25,162		4,213,599		—			4,238,761
	Derivative assets	—			3,243			—			3,243			—		4,800		—			4,800
	Total financial assets	$	439,248		$	3,769,372		$	—		$	4,208,620		$	558,295	$	4,218,399	$	—		$	4,776,694
	Derivative liabilities	$	—		$	1,448		$	—		$	1,448		$	—	$	8,224	$	—		$	8,224
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	1,448		$	—		$	1,448		$	—	$	8,224	$	—		$	8,224
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 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
		March 29, 2015												December 28, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
		(In thousands)
	Cash equivalents(1)	$	432,433		$	28,453		$	—		$	460,886		$	533,133	$	24,777	$	—		$	557,910
	Short-term marketable securities	1,458			1,346,083			—			1,347,541			3,327		1,452,182		—			1,455,509
	Long-term marketable securities	5,357			2,391,593			—			2,396,950			21,835		2,736,640		—			2,758,475
	Other current assets	—			3,243			—			3,243			—		4,800		—			4,800
	Total financial assets	$	439,248		$	3,769,372		$	—		$	4,208,620		$	558,295	$	4,218,399	$	—		$	4,776,694
	Other current accrued liabilities	$	—		$	1,448		$	—		$	1,448		$	—	$	8,224	$	—		$	8,224
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	1,448		$	—		$	1,448		$	—	$	8,224	$	—		$	8,224
	(1)	Cash equivalents exclude cash holdings of $189.1 million and $251.1 million included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively.
Available for Sale Investments	Available-for-sale investments were as follows:
		March 29, 2015												December 28, 2014
		Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gain			Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair			Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair
											Value										Value
		(In thousands)
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	6,797		$	19		$	(1	)	$	6,815		$	25,194	$	—	$	(32	)	$	25,162
	U.S. government-sponsored agency securities	22,414			21			(11		)	22,424			7,511		—		(18		)	7,493
	International government securities	58,032			80			(21		)	58,091			82,033		—		(314		)	81,719
	Corporate notes and bonds	635,937			1,340			(411		)	636,866			774,869		325		(2,052		)	773,142
	Asset-backed securities	138,814			84			(86		)	138,812			171,221		42		(353		)	170,910
	Mortgage-backed securities	31,253			63			(108		)	31,208			48,378		6		(173		)	48,211
	Municipal notes and bonds	2,871,130			8,677			(1,079		)	2,878,728			3,124,189		9,733		(1,798		)	3,132,124
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	3,764,377		$	10,284		$	(1,717	)	$	3,772,944		$	4,233,395	$	10,106	$	(4,740	)	$	4,238,761
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 March 29, 2015, are summarized in the following table. 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			Gross Unrealized Loss			Fair			Gross Unrealized Loss
		Value						Value
		(In thousands)
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	1,570		$	(1	)	$	—		$	—
	U.S. government-sponsored agency securities	4,486			(11		)	—			—
	International government securities	22,853			(21		)	—			—
	Corporate notes and bonds	204,004			(404		)	4,413			(7		)
	Asset-backed securities	74,869			(84		)	1,248			(2		)
	Mortgage-backed securities	13,923			(88		)	4,942			(20		)
	Municipal notes and bonds	452,495			(1,014		)	15,042			(65		)
	Total	$	774,200		$	(1,623	)	$	25,645		$	(94	)
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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Realized gains	$	2,320		$	1,013
	Realized losses	(323		)	(443		)
	Net realized gains	$	1,997		$	570
Fixed income securities by contractual maturity	Fixed income securities by contractual maturity as of March 29, 2015 are shown below. 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
		(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	711,897		$	713,355
	After one year through five years	2,262,309			2,268,567
	After five years through ten years	120,900			120,993
	After ten years	669,271			670,029
	Total	$	3,764,377		$	3,772,944
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 represents the related carrying values and fair values, which are based on quoted market prices. The 1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 and the 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 were both categorized as Level 1, based on the frequency of trading of each respective convertible note directly prior to the end of the first quarter of 2015. As of December 28, 2014, the 1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 was categorized as Level 1 and the 0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020 was classified as Level 2, both based on the frequency of trading of each respective convertible note directly prior to the end of 2014. See Note 7, “Financing Arrangements,” regarding details of each convertible note presented.
		March 29, 2015						December 28, 2014
		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	1.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017	$	880,653		$	1,363,792		$	869,645		$	1,948,721
	0.5% Convertible Senior Notes due 2020	1,211,097			1,537,500			1,199,696			1,789,500
	Total	$	2,091,750		$	2,901,292		$	2,069,341		$	3,738,221

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	As of March 29, 2015, the notional amount and unrealized gain on the effective portion of the Company’s outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts to purchase Japanese yen that are designated as cash flow and sell Japanese yen that are designated as net investment hedges are shown in both Japanese yen and U.S. dollar, based upon the exchange rate at March 29, 2015, as follows:
		Notional Amount						Unrealized Gain
		(Japanese yen, in billions)			(U.S. dollar, in thousands)			(U.S. dollar, in thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts:
	Cash flow hedges	¥	9		$	75,671		$	580
	Net investment hedges	(20.0		)	(167,980		)	1,312
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	¥	(11.0	)	$	(92,309	)	$	1,892
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	Gross fair value of derivative contracts was as follows:
		Derivative assets reported in
		Other Current Assets						Other Non-current Assets
		March 29,			December 28,			March 29,			December 28,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	$	2,643		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	600			4,800			—			—
	Total derivatives	$	3,243		$	4,800		$	—		$	—
		Derivative liabilities reported in
		Other Current Accrued Liabilities						Non-current Liabilities
		March 29,			December 28,			March 29,			December 28,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	$	—		$	1,472		$	—		$	—
	Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	1,448			6,752			—			—
	Total derivatives	$	1,448		$	8,224		$	—		$	—
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The impact of the effective portion of designated cash flow and net investment derivative contracts on the Company’s results of operations was as follows:
		Three months ended
		Amount of loss						Amount of loss reclassified
		recognized in OCI						from AOCI to earnings
		March 29,			March 30,			March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts:
	Cash flow hedges	$	849		$	13,468		$	(11,605	)	$	(1,564	)
	Net investment hedges	1,312			—			—			—
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	2,161		$	13,468		$	(11,605	)	$	(1,564	)
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):
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(159	)	$	(458	)
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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Gain (loss) on foreign exchange forward contracts including forward point income	$	(559	)	$	2,186
	Loss from revaluation of foreign currency exposures hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(3,306	)	$	(1,743	)

Balance_Sheet_Information_Tabl

Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable, net	Accounts receivable, net was as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Accounts receivable	$	780,504			$	1,134,254
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	(8,784		)		(9,622		)
	Promotions, price protection and other activities	(182,474		)		(282,156		)
	Total accounts receivable, net	$	589,246			$	842,476
Inventory	Inventory was as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Raw material	$	366,388			$	369,860
	Work-in-process	109,101				138,594
	Finished goods	237,564				189,557
	Total inventory	$	713,053			$	698,011
Other Current Assets	Other current assets were as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Income tax receivables	$	95,217			$	18,579
	Other tax-related receivables	73,528				84,432
	Other non-trade receivables	68,947				69,033
	Prepaid expenses	20,878				18,579
	Other current assets	32,338				24,369
	Total other current assets	$	290,908			$	214,992
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:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Notes receivable, Flash Partners Ltd.	$	28,569			$	12,454
	Notes receivable, Flash Alliance Ltd.	297,034				292,677
	Notes receivable, Flash Forward Ltd.	157,550				161,906
	Investment in Flash Partners Ltd.	170,036				167,102
	Investment in Flash Alliance Ltd.	254,652				249,459
	Investment in Flash Forward Ltd.	81,837				79,219
	Total notes receivable and investments in Flash Ventures	$	989,678			$	962,817
Other Noncurrent Assets	Other non-current assets were as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Prepaid tax on intercompany transactions	$	33,179			$	33,375
	Long-term income tax receivable	20,454				—
	Other non-current assets	71,563				75,302
	Total other non-current assets	$	125,196			$	108,677
Other Current Accrued Liabilities	Other current accrued liabilities were as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Accrued payroll and related expenses	$	152,663			$	233,702
	Taxes payable	34,877				74,079
	Derivative contract payables	1,448				8,224
	Other current accrued liabilities	220,446				190,288
	Total other current accrued liabilities	$	409,434			$	506,293
Noncurrent liabilities	Non-current liabilities were as follows:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Income tax liabilities	$	126,327			$	132,320
	Deferred revenue	22,792				31,066
	Deferred tax liabilities	239				22,360
	Other non-current liabilities	57,976				59,808
	Total non-current liabilities	$	207,334			$	245,554
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability	The liability for warranty expense is included in Other current accrued liabilities and Non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the activity was as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 29,				March 30,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Balance, beginning of period	$	48,555			$	43,624
	Additions and adjustments to cost of revenue	244				7,431
	Usage	(4,167		)		(3,490		)
	Balance, end of period	$	44,632			$	47,565
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	AOCI presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consists of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments, foreign currency translation and cash flow hedging activities, net of tax, for all periods presented:
		March 29,				December 28,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Accumulated net unrealized gain (loss) on:
	Available-for-sale investments	$	5,461			$	3,359
	Foreign currency translation	(186,777		)		(197,252		)
	Cash flow hedging activities	(1,725		)		(14,179		)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(183,041	)		$	(208,072	)
Allocation Of Amount Of Income Tax Benefit Expense	The amount of income tax expense allocated to the unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation activities was as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 29,				March 30,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Available-for-sale investments	$	1,099			$	377
	Foreign currency translation	1,779				3,771
	Total income tax expense allocated	$	2,878			$	4,148
Reclassification Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Amounts	The significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI were as follows:
			Three months ended
	AOCI Component		March 29,				March 30,			Statement of Operations
			2015				2014			Line Item
			(In thousands)
	Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments		$	1,997			$	570		Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net
	Tax impact		(722		)		(195		)	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
	Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments, net of tax		1,275				375
	Unrealized holding loss on cash flow hedging activities:
	Foreign exchange contracts		(11,605		)		(1,361		)	Cost of revenue
	Foreign exchange contracts		—				(203		)	Research and development
	Loss on cash flow hedging activities		(11,605		)		(1,564		)
	Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax		$	(10,330	)		$	(1,189	)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill balances as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014 were as follows:
		Carrying
		Amount
		(In thousands)
	Balance, beginning of year and end of period	$	831,328
Intangible Assets	Intangible asset balances were as follows:
		March 29, 2015
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment			Net Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
	Developed product technology	$	451,560	$	(117,050	)	$	—		$	334,510
	Customer relationships	64,600		(31,459		)	—			33,141
	Trademarks and trade names	62,500		(10,626		)	—			51,874
	Acquisition-related intangible assets	578,660		(159,135		)	—			419,525
	Technology licenses and patents	102,000		(83,667		)	—			18,333
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	680,660		(242,802		)	—			437,858
	Acquired in-process research and development	61,000		—			(61,000		)	—
	Total intangible assets	$	741,660	$	(242,802	)	$	(61,000	)	$	437,858
		December 28, 2014
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
		(In thousands)
	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
Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets	The annual expected amortization expense of intangible assets subject to amortization as of March 29, 2015 was as follows:
		Acquisition-related Intangible Assets		Technology Licenses and Patents
		(In thousands)
	Year:
	2015 (remaining 9 months)	$	126,133	$	15,000
	2016	126,231		3,333
	2017	107,176		—
	2018	53,160		—
	2019	6,825		—
	Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$	419,525	$	18,333

Financing_Arrangements_Tables

Financing Arrangements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Debt Instrument
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	The following table reflects the carrying values of the Company’s convertible debt:
		March 29,			December 28,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	1.5% Notes due 2017	$	996,720		$	996,788
	Less: Unamortized bond discount	(116,067		)	(127,143		)
	Net carrying amount of 1.5% Notes due 2017	880,653			869,645
	0.5% Notes due 2020	1,500,000			1,500,000
	Less: Unamortized bond discount	(288,903		)	(300,304		)
	Net carrying amount of 0.5% Notes due 2020	1,211,097			1,199,696
	Total convertible debt	2,091,750			2,069,341
	Less: Convertible short-term debt	(880,653		)	(869,645		)
	Convertible long-term debt	$	1,211,097		$	1,199,696
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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Contractual interest coupon	$	3,738		$	3,750
	Amortization of bond issuance costs	665			667
	Amortization of bond discount	10,873			10,192
	Total interest cost recognized	$	15,276		$	14,609
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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Contractual interest coupon	$	1,875		$	1,875
	Amortization of bond issuance costs	627			659
	Amortization of bond discount	11,254			10,771
	Total interest cost recognized	$	13,756		$	13,305

Equity_and_ShareBased_Compensa

Equity and Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Dividends Declared	During the three months ended March 29, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared the following dividend:
	Declaration Date		Dividend per Share				Record Date		Total Amount Declared				Payment Date
									(In millions)
	January 20, 2015		$	0.3			March 2, 2015		$	65.9			March 23, 2015
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 was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
	Dividend yield	1.52%		1.25%
	Expected volatility	0.32		0.32
	Risk-free interest rate	1.18%		1.22%
	Expected term	4.2 years		4.4 years
	Estimated annual forfeiture rate	8.79%		8.51%
	Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$19.56		$18.53
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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
	Dividend yield	1.52%		1.25%
	Expected volatility	0.36		0.31
	Risk-free interest rate	0.07%		0.08%
	Expected term	½ year		½ year
	Weighted-average fair value at purchase date	$20.20		$17.25
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 March 29, 2015 and changes during the three months ended March 29, 2015 are presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share				Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(In thousands)							(Years)		(In thousands)
	Options and SARs outstanding as of December 28, 2014	4,090				$51.94			4.5		$	202,044
	Granted	936				$82.30
	Exercised	(266	)			$41.25					$	163,623
	Forfeited	(38	)			$62.41
	Expired	(2	)			$27.02
	Options and SARs outstanding as of March 29, 2015	4,720				$58.49			4.8		$	58,404
	Options and SARs vested and expected to vest after March 29, 2015, net of forfeitures	4,384				$57.35			4.7		$	57,300
	Options and SARs exercisable as of March 29, 2015	1,853				$44.26			3.4		$	40,054
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 months ended March 29, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share				Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(In thousands)							(In thousands)
	Non-vested share units as of December 28, 2014	5,587				$67.18			$	375,366
	Granted	2,043				$81.98
	Vested	(1,332	)			$59.78			$	109,863
	Forfeited	(124	)			$77.21
	Non-vested share units as of March 29, 2015	6,174				$67.18			$	453,805
Share-based compensation expense	The following tables set forth the detailed allocation of the share-based compensation expense:
		Three months ended
		March 29,				March 30,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Share‑based compensation expense by caption:
	Cost of revenue	$	4,062			$	2,610
	Research and development	21,043				15,675
	Sales and marketing	9,535				6,257
	General and administrative	6,770				5,488
	Total share‑based compensation expense	41,410				30,030
	Total tax benefit recognized	(11,069		)		(8,776		)
	Decrease in net income	$	30,341			$	21,254
	Share‑based compensation expense by type of award:
	Stock options	$	8,028			$	7,924
	RSUs	30,225				19,465
	ESPP	3,157				2,641
	Total share‑based compensation expense	41,410				30,030
	Total tax benefit recognized	(11,069		)		(8,776		)
	Decrease in net income	$	30,341			$	21,254
Fair value of options and RSUs	The total grant date fair value of options and RSUs vested during the period was as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 29,				March 30,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Options	$	10,787			$	10,228
	RSUs	79,628				49,866
	Total grant date fair value of options and RSUs vested during the period	$	90,415			$	60,094

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate1

Restructuring and Other Related Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and other	The Company recorded the following in Restructuring and other:
		Three months ended
		March 29,
		2015
		(In thousands)
	Restructuring costs	$	4,250
	Other costs	36,291
	Total restructuring and other	$	40,541
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 March 29, 2015:
		Severance and Benefits			Other			Total
					Charges
		(In thousands)
	Accrual balance at December 28, 2014	$	4,771		$	40		$	4,811
	Charges	1,147			3,128			4,275
	Adjustments	(25		)	—			(25		)
	Cash payments	(3,868		)	(85		)	(3,952		)
	Non-cash items	—			(1,126		)	(1,126		)
	Accrual balance at March 29, 2015	$	2,025		$	1,957		$	3,983

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Income Tax Contingency
Income Tax Expense and Effective Tax Rate	The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rate:
		Three months ended
		March 29,			March 30,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands, except percentages)
	Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$	(5,408	)	$	140,591
	Tax rate	(16.1		%)	34.3		%

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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:
		Three months ended
		March 29,		March 30,
		2015		2014
		(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Numerator for basic net income per share:
	Net income	$	39,025	$	268,948
	Denominator for basic net income per share:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	211,428		225,845
	Basic net income per share	$	0.18	$	1.19
	Numerator for diluted net income per share:
	Net income	$	39,025	$	268,948
	Denominator for diluted net income per share:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	211,428		225,845
	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	2,581		3,103
	1.5% Notes due 2017	7,427		5,702
	Warrants issued in conjunction with the 1.5% Notes due 2017	2,613		264
	Shares used in computing diluted net income per share	224,049		234,914
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.17	$	1.14
	Anti-dilutive shares excluded from net income per share calculation	34,262		33,000

Commitments_Contingencies_and_1

Commitments Contingencies and Guarantees (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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 and U.S. dollar-equivalent based upon the exchange rate at March 29, 2015:
	Master Lease Agreements by Execution Date		Lease Type		Lease Amounts								Expiration
					(Japanese yen, in billions)				(U.S. dollar, in thousands)
	Flash Partners:
	Mar-12		Refinanced		¥	1.6			$	13,367			2015
	Mar-14		Initial		4.4				36,719				2019
	Dec-14		Initial		3.2				27,255				2019
					9.2				77,341
	Flash Alliance:
	Mar-12		Initial		4.8				40,115				2017
	Jul-12		Refinanced		8.9				74,880				2017
	Mar-14		Initial		4.3				35,799				2019
	May-14		Initial		5.7				48,041				2019
	Aug-14		Initial		6				50,859				2019
	Dec-14		Initial		5				41,916				2019
	Mar-15		Initial		10				83,956				2020
					44.7				375,566
	Flash Forward:
	Nov-11		Initial		6.9				58,353				2016
	Mar-12		Initial		4.5				38,000				2017
	Jul-12		Initial		1.9				15,337				2017
	Dec-14		Initial		5				41,896				2019
					18.3				153,586
	Total guarantee obligations				¥	72.2			$	606,493
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 March 29, 2015 in U.S. dollars based upon the Japanese yen to U.S. dollar exchange rate at March 29, 2015:
	Annual Installments		Payment of Principal Amortization				Purchase Option Exercise Price at Final Lease Terms				Guarantee Amount
			(In thousands)
	Year 1		$	158,063			$	15,254			$	173,317
	Year 2		130,987				22,660				153,647
	Year 3		83,840				46,528				130,368
	Year 4		54,331				13,775				68,106
	Year 5		28,927				36,239				65,166
	Year 6		2,120				13,769				15,889
	Total guarantee obligations		$	458,268			$	148,225			$	606,493
Contractual Obligations	Contractual cash obligations and commitments as of March 29, 2015 were as follows:
			Total				1 Year (Remaining 9 months in 2015)				2 - 3 Years (2016 and 2017)			4 - 5 Years (2018 and 2019)		More than 5 Years (Beyond 2019)
			(In thousands)
	Facility and other operating leases		$	64,335		(4)	$	12,202			$	21,821		$	15,802	$	14,510
	Flash Ventures and other related commitments(1)		3,324,907			(4)(5)	1,000,762				1,296,618			754,370		273,157
	Convertible senior notes(2)		2,579,120				14,976				1,041,644			15,000		1,507,500
	Noncancelable production purchase commitments(3)		266,366			(4)	257,016				9,350			—		—
	Capital equipment purchase commitments		96,602				96,490				66			46		—
	Operating expense commitments		60,915				59,963				952			—		—
	Total contractual cash obligations		$	6,392,245			$	1,441,409			$	2,370,451		$	785,218	$	1,795,167
	(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, including research and development. Funding commitments assume no additional operating lease guarantees; additional operating lease guarantees can reduce funding commitments.
	(2)	Includes principal and interest on both the 1.5% Notes due 2017 and the 0.5% Notes due 2020. See Note 7, “Financing Arrangements.”
	(3)	Includes production purchase commitments to Flash Ventures and other suppliers.
	(4)	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 March 29, 2015.
	(5)	Excludes amounts related to the master lease agreements’ purchase option exercise price at final lease term.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements	Off-balance sheet arrangements were as follows:
			March 29,
			2015
			(In thousands)
	Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)		$	606,493
	(1)	The Company’s guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 72.2 billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606 million based upon the exchange rate at March 29, 2015.
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 2015 through 2026. Future minimum lease payments are presented below:
			Future minimum lease payments
			(In thousands)
	Year:
	2015 (Remaining 9 months)		$	12,628
	2016		11,986
	2017		9,981
	2018		8,791
	2019		7,011
	2020 and thereafter		14,510
	Operating leases, gross		64,907
	Sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases		(572		)
	Operating leases, net		$	64,335
Net rent expense	Net rent expense was as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 29,				March 30,
		2015				2014
		(In thousands)
	Rent expense, net	$	4,080			$	1,624

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_1

Related Parties and Strategic Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
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. 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.
		March 29,		December 28,
		2015		2014
		(In millions)
	Notes receivable	$	483	$	467
	Equity investments	507		496
	Operating lease guarantees	606		551
	Maximum estimable loss exposure	$	1,596	$	1,514

Organization_and_Summary_of_Si2

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textuals)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014
Organization and Presentation
Exchange rate used to translate Japanese yen to U.S. dollar	119.01	120.44	102.69

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea2

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Cash and Mkt Securities (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$649,940	$809,003	$1,116,938	$986,246
Short-term marketable securities	1,347,541	1,455,509
Long-term marketable securities	2,396,950	2,758,475
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$4,394,431	$5,022,987

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea3

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Fin Assets and Liabilities 1 (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Derivative liabilities	$1,448,000	$8,224,000
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	4,208,620,000	4,776,694,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	1,448,000	8,224,000
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	439,248,000	558,295,000
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	3,769,372,000	4,218,399,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	1,448,000	8,224,000
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	1,448,000	8,224,000
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	1,448,000	8,224,000
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	432,433,000	533,133,000
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	432,433,000	533,133,000
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	3,772,944,000	4,238,761,000
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	6,815,000	25,162,000
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	3,766,129,000	4,213,599,000
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	3,243,000	4,800,000
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	3,243,000	4,800,000
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

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea4

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Fin Assets and Liabilities 2 (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015		Dec. 28, 2014
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Short-term marketable securities	$1,347,541,000		$1,455,509,000
Long-term marketable securities	2,396,950,000		2,758,475,000
Other current assets	290,908,000		214,992,000
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	4,208,620,000		4,776,694,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	1,448,000		8,224,000
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	439,248,000		558,295,000
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	3,769,372,000		4,218,399,000
Financial Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Total financial liabilities	1,448,000		8,224,000
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	1,448,000		8,224,000
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	1,448,000		8,224,000
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
Cash equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Cash equivalents(1)	460,886,000	[1]	557,910,000	[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)	432,433,000	[1]	533,133,000	[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)	28,453,000	[1]	24,777,000	[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	1,347,541,000		1,455,509,000
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	1,458,000		3,327,000
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	1,346,083,000		1,452,182,000
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	2,396,950,000		2,758,475,000
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	5,357,000		21,835,000
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	2,391,593,000		2,736,640,000
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	3,243,000		4,800,000
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	3,243,000		4,800,000
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 $189.1 million and $251.1 million included in Cash and cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of MarchB 29, 2015 and DecemberB 28, 2014, respectively.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea5

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-AFS Investments (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	$3,764,377,000	$4,233,395,000
Gross Unrealized Gain	10,284,000	10,106,000
Gross Unrealized Loss	-1,717,000	-4,740,000
Fair Value	3,772,944,000	4,238,761,000
U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	6,797,000	25,194,000
Gross Unrealized Gain	19,000	0
Gross Unrealized Loss	-1,000	-32,000
Fair Value	6,815,000	25,162,000
U.S. Government-sponsored agency securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	22,414,000	7,511,000
Gross Unrealized Gain	21,000	0
Gross Unrealized Loss	-11,000	-18,000
Fair Value	22,424,000	7,493,000
International Government Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	58,032,000	82,033,000
Gross Unrealized Gain	80,000	0
Gross Unrealized Loss	-21,000	-314,000
Fair Value	58,091,000	81,719,000
Corporate notes and bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	635,937,000	774,869,000
Gross Unrealized Gain	1,340,000	325,000
Gross Unrealized Loss	-411,000	-2,052,000
Fair Value	636,866,000	773,142,000
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	138,814,000	171,221,000
Gross Unrealized Gain	84,000	42,000
Gross Unrealized Loss	-86,000	-353,000
Fair Value	138,812,000	170,910,000
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	31,253,000	48,378,000
Gross Unrealized Gain	63,000	6,000
Gross Unrealized Loss	-108,000	-173,000
Fair Value	31,208,000	48,211,000
Municipal notes and bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale investments
Amortized Cost	2,871,130,000	3,124,189,000
Gross Unrealized Gain	8,677,000	9,733,000
Gross Unrealized Loss	-1,079,000	-1,798,000
Fair Value	$2,878,728,000	$3,132,124,000

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea6

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-AFS FV and Unrealized Losses (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$774,200,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-1,623,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	25,645,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-94,000
U.S. Treasury securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	1,570,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-1,000
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	4,486,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-11,000
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	22,853,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-21,000
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	204,004,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-404,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	4,413,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-7,000
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	74,869,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-84,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	1,248,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-2,000
Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	13,923,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-88,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	4,942,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-20,000
Municipal notes and bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized gain position
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	452,495,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	-1,014,000
Greater than 12 months, Fair Value	15,042,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	($65,000)

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea7

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-AFS Realized Gains and Losses (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Gross realized gains and (losses) on sales of available-for-sale securities
Realized gains	$2,320	$1,013
Realized losses	-323	-443
Net realized gains	$1,997	$570

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea8

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Fixed Income Maturities (Details 7) (Fixed Income Securities [Member], USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	$711,897
After one year through five years	2,262,309
After five years through ten years	120,900
After ten years	669,271
Total, Amortized Cost	3,764,377	4,233,395
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	713,355
After one year through five years	2,268,567
After five years through ten years	120,993
After ten years	670,029
Total, Fair Value	$3,772,944	$4,238,761

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea9

Investments and Fair Value Measurements-Debt Instrument FV (Details 8) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value	$2,091,750	$2,069,341
Convertible Debt [Member]
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value	2,091,750	2,069,341
Convertible debt, fair value	2,901,292	3,738,221
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value	880,653	869,645
Convertible debt, fair value	1,363,792	1,948,721
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value	1,211,097
Convertible debt, fair value	1,537,500
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Related costs and the fair values based on quoted market prices
Convertible debt, carrying value		1,199,696
Convertible debt, fair value		$1,789,500

Recovered_Sheet1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Cash	$189,100,000	$251,100,000
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	0	0
Fair Value, Assets, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	0	0
Fair Value, Liabilities, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	0	0
Fair Value, Liabilities, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	1,500,000,000	0
Cost Method Investment [Abstract]
Cost-method Investments, Aggregate Carrying Amount, Not Evaluated for Impairment	30,100,000	29,300,000
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_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Outstanding Designated Forward Contracts (Details 1) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member])	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
	Realized within twelve months [Member]	Realized within twelve months [Member]	Wafer Purchases [Member]	Wafer Purchases [Member]	Net Investment Hedging [Member]	Net Investment Hedging [Member]
	USD ($)	JPY (¥)	Realized within twelve months [Member]	Realized within twelve months [Member]	Realized beyond twelve months [Member]	Realized beyond twelve months [Member]
			USD ($)	JPY (¥)	USD ($)	JPY (¥)
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivatives, Net, before Tax	$1,892		$580		$1,312
Cash Flow and Investment Hedges
Foreign exchange forward contracts	($92,309)	¥ (11,000,000)	($75,671)	¥ (9,000,000)	($167,980)	¥ (20,000,000)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Derivative Contracts (Details 2) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member], USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Other current assets [Member]
Designated cash flow hedges, assets
Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	$2,643,000	$0
Non-designated cash flow hedges, assets
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	600,000	4,800,000
Total derivatives, assets	3,243,000	4,800,000
Other non-current assets [Member]
Designated cash flow hedges, assets
Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	0	0
Non-designated cash flow hedges, assets
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	0	0
Total derivatives, assets	0	0
Other current accrued liabilities [Member]
Designated cash flow hedges, liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	0	1,472,000
Non-designated cash flow hedges, liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	1,448,000	6,752,000
Total derivatives, liabilities	1,448,000	8,224,000
Non-current liabilities [Member]
Designated cash flow hedges, liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts designated	0	0
Non-designated cash flow hedges, liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts not designated	0	0
Total derivatives, liabilities	$0	$0

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Impact on Earnings (Details 3) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Effective portion of designated cash flow derivative contracts
Amount of loss recognized in OCI	$2,161,000	$13,468,000
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI to earnings	-11,605,000	-1,564,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Effective portion of designated cash flow derivative contracts
Amount of loss recognized in OCI	849,000	13,468,000
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI to earnings	-11,605,000	-1,564,000
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Effective portion of designated cash flow derivative contracts
Amount of loss recognized in OCI	1,312,000	0
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI to earnings	$0	$0

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Ineffective Portion (Details 4) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)
Foreign exchange forward contracts	($159)	($458)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi6

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Effect of Non-designated Contracts (Details 5) (Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract [Member]
Effect of nondesignated derivative contracts
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange forward contracts including forward point income	($559)	$2,186
Loss from revaluation of foreign currency exposures hedged by foreign exchange forward contracts	($3,306)	($1,743)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi7

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Cash Flow Hedge (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash Flow Hedge Buy [Member]
Cash Flow and Investment Hedges
Notional amount of foreign exchange forward contracts	$226,300
Cash Flow Hedge Sell [Member]
Cash Flow and Investment Hedges
Notional amount of foreign exchange forward contracts	$162,300

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi8

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Netting Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative, Netting Activities
Derivative Asset, Subject to Netting Arrangement, Net	$3.10	$2.80
Derivative Liability, Subject to Netting Arrangement, Net	$1.30	$6.30

Balance_Sheet_InformationRecei

Balance Sheet Information-Receivables (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$780,504	$1,134,254
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-8,784	-9,622
Promotions, price protection and other activities	-182,474	-282,156
Total accounts receivable, net	$589,246	$842,476

Balance_Sheet_InformationInven

Balance Sheet Information-Inventory (Details 2) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory
Raw material	$366,388	$369,860
Work-in-process	109,101	138,594
Finished goods	237,564	189,557
Total inventory	$713,053	$698,011

Balance_Sheet_InformationOther

Balance Sheet Information-Other Assets (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Other Current Assets
Income tax receivables	$95,217,000	$18,579,000
Other tax-related receivables	73,528,000	84,432,000
Other non-trade receivables	68,947,000	69,033,000
Prepaid expenses	20,878,000	18,579,000
Other current assets	32,338,000	24,369,000
Total other current assets	290,908,000	214,992,000
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Prepaid tax on intercompany transactions	33,179,000	33,375,000
Long-term income tax receivable	20,454,000	0
Other non-current assets	71,563,000	75,302,000
Total other non-current assets	$125,196,000	$108,677,000

Balance_Sheet_InformationEquit

Balance Sheet Information-Equity Investments (Details 4) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Related Party Transactions	$989,678	$962,817
Flash Partners Ltd [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes Receivable	28,569	12,454
Investments	170,036	167,102
Flash Alliance Ltd [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes Receivable	297,034	292,677
Investments	254,652	249,459
Flash Forward Ltd [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes Receivable	157,550	161,906
Investments	81,837	79,219
Flash Ventures [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Related Party Transactions	$989,678	$962,817

Balance_Sheet_InformationLiabi

Balance Sheet Information-Liabilities (Details 5) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Accrued Liabilities
Accrued payroll and related expenses	$152,663	$233,702
Taxes payable	34,877	74,079
Derivative contract payables	1,448	8,224
Other current accrued liabilities	220,446	190,288
Total other current accrued liabilities	409,434	506,293
Non-current liabilities
Income tax liabilities	126,327	132,320
Deferred revenue	22,792	31,066
Deferred tax liabilities	239	22,360
Other non-current liabilities	57,976	59,808
Total non-current liabilities	$207,334	$245,554

Balance_Sheet_InformationWarra

Balance Sheet Information-Warranty (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$48,555	$43,624
Additions and adjustments to cost of revenue	244	7,431
Usage	-4,167	-3,490
Balance, end of period	$44,632	$47,565

Balance_Sheet_InformationOCI_D

Balance Sheet Information-OCI (Details 7) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Accumulated net unrealized gain (loss) on:
Available-for-sale investments	$5,461		$3,359
Foreign currency translation	-186,777		-197,252
Cash flow hedging activities	-1,725		-14,179
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	-183,041		-208,072
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent
Available-for-sale investments	1,099	377
Foreign currency translation	1,779	3,771
Total income tax expense allocated	$2,878	$4,148

Balance_Sheet_InformationAOCI_

Balance Sheet Information-AOCI (Details 8) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income
Cost of revenue	($762,483,000)	($741,039,000)
Research and development	-222,726,000	-198,829,000
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	5,408,000	-140,591,000
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	-10,330,000	-1,189,000
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income
Interest (expense) and other income (expense), net	1,997,000	570,000
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	-722,000	-195,000
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	1,275,000	375,000
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income
Cost of revenue	-11,605,000	-1,361,000
Research and development	0	-203,000
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax	($11,605,000)	($1,564,000)

Balance_Sheet_Information_Deta

Balance Sheet Information (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Balance Sheet Information
Fair Value, Liabilities, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount	$1,500,000,000		$0
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due	0		0
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses	0	0
Product Warranties Disclosures
Product Warranty Accrual, Preexisting, Increase (Decrease)	($3,100,000)

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets-Goodwill (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Balance, beginning of year	$831,328	$831,328
Balance, end of period	$831,328	$831,328

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets-Intangibles (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Intangible Assets
Total intangible assets, gross	$741,660,000	$858,844,000
Accumulated amortization	-242,802,000	-316,493,000
Intangible asset adjustment	-61,000,000
Total intangible assets, net	437,858,000	542,351,000
Acquired in-process research and development [Member]
Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	61,000,000	61,000,000
Adjustments of indefinite lived intangible assets	-61,000,000
Net carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible assets	0	61,000,000
Developed product technology [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	451,560,000	568,744,000
Accumulated amortization	-117,050,000	-209,478,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets	0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	334,510,000	359,266,000
Customer relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	64,600,000	64,600,000
Accumulated amortization	-31,459,000	-21,009,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets	0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	33,141,000	43,591,000
Trademarks [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	62,500,000	62,500,000
Accumulated amortization	-10,626,000	-7,395,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets	0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	51,874,000	55,105,000
Technology licenses and patents [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	102,000,000	102,000,000
Accumulated amortization	-83,667,000	-78,611,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets	0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	18,333,000	23,389,000
Acquisition-related Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	578,660,000	695,844,000
Accumulated amortization	-159,135,000	-237,882,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets	0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	419,525,000	457,962,000
Intangible assets subject to amortization [Member]
Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	680,660,000	797,844,000
Accumulated amortization	-242,802,000	-316,493,000
Adjustments of finite lived intangible assets	0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$437,858,000	$481,351,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets-Intangible Amortization (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Acquisition-related Intangible Assets [Member]
Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets
2015 (remaining 9 months)	$126,133,000
2016	126,231,000
2017	107,176,000
2018	53,160,000
2019	6,825,000
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	419,525,000	457,962,000
Technology licenses and patents [Member]
Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets
2015 (remaining 9 months)	15,000,000
2016	3,333,000
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Total intangible assets subject to amortization	$18,333,000	$23,389,000

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Finite-lived Intangible Assets
Impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets	$61,000,000	$0
Total intangible assets, net	437,858,000		542,351,000
Fusion-io Inc [Member]
Goodwill and Finite-lived Intangible Assets
Total intangible assets, net	313,300,000
Acquired in-process research and development [Member]
Goodwill and Finite-lived Intangible Assets
Impairment of acquisition-related intangible assets	$61,000,000

Financing_ArrangementsCarrying

Financing Arrangements-Carrying Value and Interest (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2010	Oct. 23, 2013
Carrying Value of Convertible Notes
Convertible debt, carrying value	$2,091,750,000	$2,069,341,000
Debt Summary
Convertible debt, carrying value	2,091,750,000	2,069,341,000
Less: Convertible short-term debt	880,653,000	869,645,000
Convertible long-term debt, carrying value	1,211,097,000	1,199,696,000
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Carrying Value of Convertible Notes
Convertible debt, par value	996,720,000	996,788,000	1,000,000,000
Less: Unamortized bond discount	-116,067,000	-127,143,000
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	-288,903,000	-300,304,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | 1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Carrying Value of Convertible Notes
Convertible debt, carrying value	880,653,000	869,645,000
Debt Summary
Convertible debt, carrying value	880,653,000	869,645,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | 0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Carrying Value of Convertible Notes
Convertible debt, carrying value	1,211,097,000
Debt Summary
Convertible debt, carrying value	1,211,097,000
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | 0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Carrying Value of Convertible Notes
Convertible debt, carrying value		1,199,696,000
Debt Summary
Convertible debt, carrying value		$1,199,696,000

Financing_ArrangementsInterest

Financing Arrangements-Interest (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Interest Cost Recognized For Convertible Notes
Contractual interest coupon	$3,738	$3,750
Amortization of bond issuance costs	665	667
Amortization of bond discount	10,873	10,192
Total interest cost recognized	15,276	14,609
0.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2020 [Member]
Interest Cost Recognized For Convertible Notes
Contractual interest coupon	1,875	1,875
Amortization of bond issuance costs	627	659
Amortization of bond discount	11,254	10,771
Total interest cost recognized	$13,756	$13,305

Financing_Arrangements_Details

Financing Arrangements (Details Textuals) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2010	Mar. 29, 2015	Oct. 27, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Oct. 23, 2013
Temporary Conversion Obligation [Abstract]
Convertible short-term debt conversion obligation		$116,067,000		$127,143,000
Share Price		$64.59
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument Details
Convertible debt, par value	1,000,000,000	996,720,000		996,788,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	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	19.5456
Conversion of notes, base conversion price	1,000	1,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Shares	19,100,000	19,500,000
Conversion price per share	$52.37	$51.16
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		116,067,000		127,143,000
Remaining amortization period of convertible debt		2 years 5 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	13,200,000	4,500,000
Debt Conversion
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Shares Issued		505
Convertible Bond Hedge
Bond hedge options, exercise price	$52.37	$51.16
Number of shares an entity can purchase from counterparties	19,100,000	19,500,000
Warrants
Exercise price of warrants	$73.33	$71.63
Number of shares counterparties can purchase from entity	19,100,000	19,500,000
Number of warrants exercised		0
Temporary Conversion Obligation [Abstract]
Temporary Equity, Par Value		116,067,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, If-Converted Shares for Value in Excess of Principal		4,000,000
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | Shares, Whole [Member]
Convertible Bond Hedge
Number of shares purchased under bond hedge		27,124
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | Settled, Current Period [Member]
Debt Conversion
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		68,000
1.5% Sr. Convertible Notes due 2017 [Member] | Settled, Current and Past Period [Member]
Debt Conversion
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		3,300,000
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
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		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		10.875	10.847
Conversion of notes, base conversion price		1,000	1,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Shares		16,300,000				16,300,000
Conversion price per share		$91.95				$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
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Bond Discount		288,903,000		300,304,000
Remaining amortization period of convertible debt		5 years 7 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		$10,700,000				$13,500,000
Convertible Bond Hedge
Bond hedge options, exercise price		$91.95	$92.19
Number of shares an entity can purchase from counterparties		16,300,000	16,300,000
Number of shares purchased under bond hedge		0
Warrants
Exercise price of warrants		$122.61				$122.92
Number of shares counterparties can purchase from entity		16,300,000	16,300,000
Number of warrants exercised		0

Share_Repurchases_Details_Text

Share Repurchases (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Jan. 21, 2015	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 20, 2012	Oct. 27, 2011
Share Repurchase Program Summary
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount			$2,500,000,000	$2,500,000,000	$750,000,000	$500,000,000
Share Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	2,380,000,000
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock During Period	783,899,000	114,452,000
Share-based Benefit Plan Repurchases
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	33,800,000
Structured Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Share Repurchase Program Summary
Share Repurchased and Retired During Program, Shares	54.7
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock, Aggregate	3,870,000,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares	9.3
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock During Period	$750,000,000

Stockholders_Equity_and_ShareB1

Stockholders Equity and Share-Based Compensation Dividend Declaration (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Dividends Payable
Declaration Date	20-Jan-15
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.30	$0.23
Record Date	2-Mar-15
Total Amount Declared	$65.90
Payment Date	23-Mar-15

Stockholders_Equity_and_ShareB2

Stockholders Equity and Share-Based Compensation Dividend Declaration (Detail Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Jun. 28, 2015
Dividends Payable
Declaration Date	20-Jan-15
Record Date	2-Mar-15
Payment Date	23-Mar-15
Cash dividends declared per share	$0.30	$0.23
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dividends Payable
Declaration Date			14-Apr-15
Record Date			4-May-15
Payment Date			26-May-15
Cash dividends declared per share			$0.30

ShareBased_CompensationValuati

Share-Based Compensation-Valuation Parameters (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
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	1.52%	1.25%
Expected volatility	32.00%	32.00%
Risk-free interest rate	1.18%	1.22%
Expected term	4 years 3 months	4 years 5 months
Estimated annual forfeiture rate	8.79%	8.51%
Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$19.56	$18.53
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	1.52%	1.25%
Expected volatility	36.00%	31.00%
Risk-free interest rate	0.07%	0.08%
Expected term	0 years 6 months	0 years 6 months
Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$20.20	$17.25

ShareBased_CompensationOption_

Share-Based Compensation-Option Rollforward (Details 2) (Employee Stock Option [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Stock options and stock appreciation rights
Options and SARs outstanding Beginning Balance, Shares	4,090
Options and SARs outstanding Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$51.94
Options and SARs outstanding Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 10 months	4 years 6 months
Options and SARs outstanding Beginning Balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$202,044
Granted, Shares	936
Granted Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$82.30
Exercised, Shares	-266
Exercised Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$41.25
Exercised Aggregate Intrinsic Value	163,623
Forfeited, Shares	-38
Forfeited Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$62.41
Expired, Shares	-2
Expired Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$27.02
Options and SARs outstanding Ending Balance, shares	4,720	4,090
Options and SARs outstanding Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$58.49	$51.94
Options and SARs outstanding Ending Balance, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 10 months	4 years 6 months
Options and SARs outstanding Ending Balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	58,404	202,044
Stock options and stock appreciation rights, expected to vest
Options and SARs vested and expected to vest, net of forfeitures, Shares	4,384
Options and SARs vested and expected to vest, net of forfeitures, Weighted Average Exercise Price (per share)	$57.35
Options and SARs vested and expected to vest, net of forfeitures, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	4 years 8 months
Options and SARs vested and expected to vest, net of forfeitures, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	57,300
Stock options and stock appreciation rights, exercisable
Options and SARs, Exercisable, shares	1,853
Options and SARs, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$44.26
Options and SARs, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 5 months
Options and SARs, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$40,054

ShareBased_CompensationRSU_Rol

Share-Based Compensation-RSU Rollforward (Details 3) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Summary of the changes in RSUs outstanding
Beginning Balance, Non-vested share units	5,587
Beginning Balance, Non-vested share units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$67.18
Beginning Balance, Non-vested share units Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$375,366
Granted, Shares	2,043
Granted Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$81.98
Vested, Shares	-1,332
Vested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$59.78
Vested Aggregate Intrinsic Value	109,863
Forfeited, Shares	-124
Forfeited Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$77.21
Ending Balance, Non-vested share units	6,174
Ending Balance, Non-vested share units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (per share)	$67.18
Ending Balance, Non-vested share units Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$453,805

ShareBased_CompensationExpense

Share-Based Compensation-Expense Recognition (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$41,410	$30,030
Total tax benefit recognized	-11,069	-8,776
Decrease in net income	30,341	21,254
Stock options and SARs [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	8,028	7,924
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	30,225	19,465
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	3,157	2,641
Cost of revenue [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	4,062	2,610
Research and Development [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	21,043	15,675
Sales and marketing [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	9,535	6,257
General and administrative [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$6,770	$5,488

ShareBased_CompensationFair_Va

Share-Based Compensation-Fair Value of Vested Awards (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Fair value of options and RSUs vested
Options	$10,787	$10,228
RSUs	79,628	49,866
Total grant date fair value of vested options and RSUs	$90,415	$60,094

ShareBased_CompensationActivit

Share-Based Compensation-Activity (Details Textuals 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Compensation and Benefits
Share-based compensation expense capitalized in inventory	$5.40	$4.30
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Compensation and Benefits
Total unrecognized compensation cost, net of forfeitures, related to awards granted to employees	44.1
Employee service, Nonvested awards, Total Compensation Cost not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 7 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Compensation and Benefits
Total unrecognized compensation cost, net of forfeitures, related to awards granted to employees	346.1
Employee service, Nonvested awards, Total Compensation Cost not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	2 years 11 months
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Shares [Member]
Compensation and Benefits
Total unrecognized compensation expense for ESPP	$5.50
Employee service, Nonvested awards, Total Compensation Cost not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	0 years 5 months

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate2

Restructuring and Other Related Activities Restructuring and Other Related Activities - Expense (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring costs	$4,250,000
Other costs	36,291,000
Total restructuring and other	$40,541,000	$0

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate3

Restructuring and Other Related Activities - Accrual (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Accrual balance at beginning of period	$4,811,000
Charges	4,275,000
Adjustments	-25,000
Cash payments	-3,952,000
Non-cash items	-1,126,000
Accrual balance at end of period	3,983,000
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Accrual balance at beginning of period	4,771,000
Charges	1,147,000
Adjustments	-25,000
Cash payments	-3,868,000
Non-cash items	0
Accrual balance at end of period	2,025,000
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Accrual balance at beginning of period	40,000
Charges	3,128,000
Adjustments	0
Cash payments	-85,000
Non-cash items	-1,126,000
Accrual balance at end of period	$1,957,000

Restructuring_and_Other_Relate4

Restructuring and Other Related Activities (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	$4,250
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	4,275
Other costs	36,291
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	1,147
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	$3,128

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Prov

Income Taxes Income Taxes - Provision (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Income Tax Contingency
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	($5,408)	$140,591
Tax rate	-16.10%	34.30%

Income_Taxes_Details_Textuals

Income Taxes (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Income Tax Contingency
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	$1,290,000,000
Provision For Income Taxes
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	120,400,000		125,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate	94,600,000
Unrecognized tax benefits income tax penalties and interest expense or income	-3,200,000	700,000
Expected decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months	33,400,000
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	$20,900,000

Net_Income_Per_Share_Details

Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Numerator for basic net income per share:
Net income	$39,025	$268,948
Denominator for basic net income per share:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	211,428	225,845
Basic net income per share	$0.18	$1.19
Numerator for diluted net income per share:
Net income	$39,025	$268,948
Denominator for diluted net income per share:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	211,428	225,845
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	2,581	3,103
1.5% Notes due 2017	7,427	5,702
Warrants issued in conjunction with the 1.5% Notes due 2017	2,613	264
Shares used in computing diluted net income per share	224,049	234,914
Diluted net income per share	$0.17	$1.14
Antidilutive Shares
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from net income per share calculation	34,262	33,000

Commitments_Contingencies_and_2

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

Mar. 29, 2015

Dec. 28, 2014

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

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 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]

Master Lease Agreement March Two Thousand Fifteen FAL [Member]

Master Lease Agreement March Two Thousand Fifteen FAL [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 (¥)

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)

$606,493

[1]

$551,000

$375,566

¥ 44,700,000

$40,115

¥ 4,800,000

$74,880

¥ 8,900,000

$35,799

¥ 4,300,000

$48,041

¥ 5,700,000

$50,859

¥ 6,000,000

$41,916

¥ 5,000,000

$83,956

¥ 10,000,000

$77,341

¥ 9,200,000

$13,367

¥ 1,600,000

$36,719

¥ 4,400,000

$27,255

¥ 3,200,000

$153,586

¥ 18,300,000

$58,353

¥ 6,900,000

$38,000

¥ 4,500,000

$15,337

¥ 1,900,000

$41,896

¥ 5,000,000

$606,493

¥ 72,200,000

[1]

The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 72.2B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606B million based upon the exchange rate at MarchB 29, 2015.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_3

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-JV Lease Amounts (Details 2)	Mar. 29, 2015		Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
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				$173,317		$158,063	$15,254
Year 2				153,647		130,987	22,660
Year 3				130,368		83,840	46,528
Year 4				68,106		54,331	13,775
Year 5				65,166		28,927	36,239
Year 6				15,889		2,120	13,769
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases	$606,493	[1]	$551,000	$606,493	¥ 72,200,000	$458,268	$148,225
[1]	The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 72.2B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606B million based upon the exchange rate at MarchB 29, 2015.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_4

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Commitment Tbl (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	$64,335,000
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	3,324,907,000	[1],[2],[3]
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	2,579,120,000	[4]
Contractual Obligation	6,392,245,000
1 Year (Remaining 9 months in 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	1,000,762,000	[1],[2],[3]
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	14,976,000	[4]
Contractual Obligation	1,441,409,000
2 - 3 Years (2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	1,296,618,000	[1],[2],[3]
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	1,041,644,000	[4]
Contractual Obligation	2,370,451,000
4 - 5 Years (2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	754,370,000	[1],[2],[3]
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	15,000,000	[4]
Contractual Obligation	785,218,000
More than 5 Years (Beyond 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Reimbursement for certain Flash Venture fixed costs	273,157,000	[1],[2],[3]
Convertible senior notes principal and interest	1,507,500,000	[4]
Contractual Obligation	1,795,167,000
Operating Lease Expense [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	64,335,000	[1]
Operating Lease Expense [Member] | 1 Year (Remaining 9 months in 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	12,202,000	[1]
Operating Lease Expense [Member] | 2 - 3 Years (2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	21,821,000	[1]
Operating Lease Expense [Member] | 4 - 5 Years (2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	15,802,000	[1]
Operating Lease Expense [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Facility and other operating leases	14,510,000	[1]
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	96,602,000
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member] | 1 Year (Remaining 9 months in 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	96,490,000
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member] | 2 - 3 Years (2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	66,000
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member] | 4 - 5 Years (2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	46,000
Capital Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0
Operating Expense Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	60,915,000
Operating Expense Commitments [Member] | 1 Year (Remaining 9 months in 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	59,963,000
Operating Expense Commitments [Member] | 2 - 3 Years (2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	952,000
Operating Expense Commitments [Member] | 4 - 5 Years (2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0
Operating Expense Commitments [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member]
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	266,366,000	[1],[5]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member] | 1 Year (Remaining 9 months in 2015)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	257,016,000	[1],[5]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member] | 2 - 3 Years (2016 and 2017)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	9,350,000	[1],[5]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member] | 4 - 5 Years (2018 and 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	0	[1],[5]
Noncancelable Production Purchase Commitments [Member] | More than 5 Years (Beyond 2019)
Contractual Obligations
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	$0	[1],[5]
[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 MarchB 29, 2015.
[2]	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, including research and development. Funding commitments assume no additional operating lease guarantees; additional operating lease guarantees can reduce funding commitments.
[3]	Excludes amounts related to the master lease agreementsb purchase option exercise price at final lease term.
[4]	Includes principal and interest on both the 1.5%B Notes due 2017 and the 0.5%B Notes due 2020.
[5]	Includes production purchase commitments to Flash Ventures and other suppliers.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_5

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Off-Balance Sheet Tbl (Details 4) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015		Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Guarantor Obligations
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)	$606,493	[1]	$551,000
[1]	The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 72.2B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606B million based upon the exchange rate at MarchB 29, 2015.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_6

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Future Lease Obligation (Details 5) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating leases future minimum payments
2015 (Remaining 9 months)	$12,628
2016	11,986
2017	9,981
2018	8,791
2019	7,011
2020 and thereafter	14,510
Operating leases, gross	64,907
Sublease income to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases	-572
Operating leases, net	$64,335

Commitments_Contingencies_and_7

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Rent Expense (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Net rent expense
Rent expense, net	$4,080	$1,624

Commitments_Contingencies_and_8

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

Mar. 29, 2015

Dec. 28, 2014

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Dec. 28, 2014

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Dec. 28, 2014

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Dec. 28, 2014

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

Mar. 29, 2015

USD ($)

USD ($)

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 Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Forward Ltd [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

Flash Ventures [Member]

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

USD ($)

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

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

10-Sep-04

7-Jul-06

7-Jul-06

13-Jul-10

13-Jul-10

Equity Investments

Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Noncurrent

$28,600,000

$297,000,000

$157,600,000

Equity investment in business venture

170,000,000

167,100,000

254,700,000

249,500,000

81,800,000

79,200,000

Cumulative translation adjustments

-186,777,000

-197,252,000

-5,300,000

-7,300,000

-42,500,000

-45,500,000

-27,400,000

-28,400,000

Master Lease Agreements

Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)

606,493,000

[1]

551,000,000

77,341,000

9,200,000,000

375,566,000

44,700,000,000

153,586,000

18,300,000,000

606,493,000

72,200,000,000

Master Lease Covenants

Joint Venture Master Equipment Lease Agreement Guarantor Equity Covenant

1,510,000,000

Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

$5,836,047,000

$6,526,681,000

[1]

The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 72.2B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606B million based upon the exchange rate at MarchB 29, 2015.

Commitments_Contingencies_and_9

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Indemnity (Details Textual 3) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015
Tax Commitment [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits From Contractual Obligation	$126.30

Recovered_Sheet3

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees-Off-balance Sheet Arrangements (Details Textuals 5)	Mar. 29, 2015		Dec. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)		USD ($)	Flash Ventures [Member]	Flash Ventures [Member]
				USD ($)	JPY (¥)
Master Lease Agreements
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)	$606,493	[1]	$551,000	$606,493	¥ 72,200,000
[1]	The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 72.2B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606B million based upon the exchange rate at MarchB 29, 2015.

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_2

Related Parties and Strategic Investments (Details 1) (USD $)	Mar. 29, 2015		Dec. 28, 2014
Maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate
Guarantee of Flash Ventures equipment leases (1)	$606,493,000	[1]	$551,000,000
Maximum estimable loss exposure	1,596,000,000		1,514,000,000
Notes Receivable [Member]
Maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate
Maximum estimable loss exposure	483,000,000		467,000,000
Equity Method Investments [Member]
Maximum reasonably estimable loss exposure (excluding lost profits), based upon the exchange rate
Maximum estimable loss exposure	$507,000,000		$496,000,000
[1]	The Companybs guarantee obligation, net of cumulative lease payments, was 72.2B billion Japanese yen, or approximately $606B million based upon the exchange rate at MarchB 29, 2015.

Related_Parties_and_Strategic_3

Related Parties and Strategic Investments (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Related Parties and Strategic Investments
Accounts payable balances due to related party	$147,870,000		$136,051,000
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	503,800,000	460,100,000
Repayment of loan from Flash Ventures	89,700,000	24,400,000
Accounts payable balances due to related party	$147,900,000		$136,100,000
Flash Ventures [Member] | SanDisk Corporation [Member]
Related Parties and Strategic Investments
Percentage of ownership with Related party	49.90%