Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) 10-Q 14 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	1-May-15
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	4-Apr-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ZBRA
Entity Registrant Name	ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	877212
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,725,074

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$329,534	$393,950
Investments and marketable securities	0	24,385
Accounts receivable, net	637,953	670,402
Inventories, net	405,469	394,176
Deferred income taxes	116,707	122,772
Income tax receivable	60,340	12,988
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	68,971	53,377
Total current assets	1,618,974	1,672,050
Property and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization	270,228	255,092
Goodwill	2,482,528	2,489,510
Other intangibles, net	961,704	1,029,293
Debt issuance cost	28,919	29,785
Other assets	92,277	93,121
Total assets	5,454,630	5,568,851
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	284,730	326,524
Accrued liabilities	371,106	421,070
Deferred revenue	225,112	196,213
Current portion of long-term debt	0	7,522
Income taxes payable	14,903	4,518
Total current liabilities	895,851	955,847
Long-term debt	3,144,177	3,182,962
Long-term deferred tax liability	192,544	199,853
Long-term deferred revenue	107,687	115,847
Other long-term liabilities	88,373	74,434
Total liabilities	4,428,632	4,528,943
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value; authorized 10,000 shares; issued 0 shares	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	160,305	147,090
Treasury stock at cost, 20,322 and 20,498 shares, respectively	-629,403	-634,664
Retained earnings	1,510,010	1,535,307
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-15,636	-8,547
Total stockholders' equity	1,025,998	1,039,908
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,454,630	5,568,851
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value; authorized 150,000 shares; issued 72,152 shares	$722	$722

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Treasury stock, shares	20,322	20,498
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000	150,000
Common stock, shares issued	72,152	72,152

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Net sales:
Net sales of tangible products	$755,322	$261,892
Revenue from services and software	137,862	26,376
Total net sales	893,184	288,268
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales of tangible products	385,370	130,449
Cost of services and software	98,292	9,881
Total cost of sales	483,662	140,330
Gross profit	409,522	147,938
Operating expenses:
Selling and marketing	122,106	35,416
Research and development	96,417	22,857
General and administrative	66,136	28,391
Amortization of intangible assets	67,589	2,672
Acquisition and integration costs	26,331	4,927
Exit and restructuring costs	11,169	267
Total operating expenses	389,748	94,530
Operating income	19,774	53,408
Other income (expense):
Investment income (loss) gain	-197	421
Foreign exchange loss	-27,191	-292
Forward interest rate swaps gain	1,689	0
Interest expense	-50,965	-18
Other, net	-1,273	26
Total other (expense) income	-77,937	137
(Loss) income before income taxes	-58,163	53,545
Income tax (benefit) expense	-32,866	11,939
Net (loss) income	($25,297)	$41,606
Basic (loss) earnings per share	($0.50)	$0.83
Diluted (loss) earnings per share	($0.50)	$0.82
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	50,667	50,402
Diluted weighted average and equivalent shares outstanding	50,667	50,974

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	($25,297)	$41,606
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain on anticipated sales hedging transactions, net of tax	1,690	613
Unrealized loss on forward interest rate swaps hedging transactions, net of tax	-7,051	0
Unrealized holding (loss) gain on investments, net of taxes	-16	148
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1,712	-167
Comprehensive (loss) income	($32,386)	$42,200

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	($25,297)	$41,606
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	79,703	9,003
Amortization of debt issuance cost and discount	4,559	0
Share-based compensation	8,796	2,966
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	-1,492	-395
Deferred income taxes	-199	18
Unrealized gain on forward interest rate swaps	-1,689	0
All other, net	-144	12
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired:
Accounts receivable, net	28,232	-4,793
Inventories, net	-24,656	1,663
Other assets	-13,330	2,419
Accounts payable	-27,075	-2,435
Accrued liabilities	10,027	-9,670
Deferred revenue	29,424	682
Income taxes	-33,393	8,146
Other operating activities	2,130	533
Net cash provided by operating activities	35,596	49,755
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-25,522	-2,374
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-48,805	0
Proceeds from sale of long-term investments	1,748	0
Purchases of long-term investments	-168	-405
Purchases of investments and marketable securities	-739	-151,817
Maturities of investments and marketable securities	0	15,996
Proceeds from sales of investments and marketable securities	25,108	72,206
Net cash (used) in investing activities	-48,378	-66,394
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of debt	-50,000	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and stock purchase plan purchases	8,199	4,936
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	1,492	395
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-40,309	5,331
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-11,325	-95
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-64,416	-11,403
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	393,950	62,827
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	329,534	51,424
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid, net	4,841	3,304
Interest paid	$26,706	$0

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 1 – Basis of Presentation
	Management prepared these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for Zebra Technologies Corporation and subsidiaries (“Zebra”) according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. These financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. Therefore, these consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in Zebra’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
	These interim financial statements include all adjustments (of a normal, recurring nature) necessary to present fairly Zebra’s consolidated financial position as of April 4, 2015, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) and consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014. These results, however, are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
	Reclassifications: Prior-period amounts differ from amounts previously reported because certain immaterial amounts in the prior years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Pro

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement	Note 2 – Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2015-03 “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” This guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this ASU. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods. Management is assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued update 2014-09, ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This guidance is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. In April 2015, the FASB issued an exposure draft that would delay by one year the effective date of its new revenue recognition standard; comments are due by May 29, 2015. Management is assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	Note 3 Business Combinations
	On October 27, 2014, Zebra completed its acquisition of the Enterprise Business (“Enterprise”) from Motorola Solutions Inc. (“MSI”) for a purchase price of $3.45 billion (the “Acquisition”). This transaction positions Zebra as a leading technology innovator, with the accelerating convergence of mobility, data analytics and cloud computing. It will enable Zebra to further sharpen its strategic focus on providing mission-critical solutions for its customers. Certain assets and liabilities historically associated with the Enterprise business were retained by MSI, including MSI’s iDEN infrastructure business. The Acquisition was pursuant to the Master Acquisition Agreement dated April 14, 2014, as amended (the “Master Acquisition Agreement”) and was structured as a combination of stock and asset acquisitions and a merger of certain US entities, resulting in 100% ownership of Enterprise.
	Zebra financed the Acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and borrowings of $3.25 billion (the “Indebtedness”), including the sale of 7  1⁄4% senior notes due 2022 with an aggregate principal amount of $1.05 billion (the “Notes”) and a new credit agreement with various lenders that provided a term loan of $2.2 billion (the “Term Loan”) due 2021. See Note 13 Long Term Debt footnote. Consideration was paid in the form of cash to MSI in the amount of $3.45 billion, including working capital adjustments.
	The allocations of the purchase price for the Acquisition have been prepared on a preliminary basis based on third-party valuations and changes to these allocations may occur as additional information becomes available. We are in the process of evaluating third-party valuations related to the fair value of our tangible and intangible assets, in addition to determining and recording the tax effects of the transaction to include all assets and liabilities at fair value. Acquired goodwill represents the premium paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Zebra paid this premium for a number of reasons, including acquiring an experienced workforce and enhancing technology capabilities as further described above.
	During the first quarter of 2015, Zebra adjusted certain preliminary values. The fair value adjustments are reflected in the table below and primarily result in an increase of $0.9 million in assets and a decrease of $6.1 million in liabilities and a corresponding decrease to goodwill of $7.0 million.
	Also, additional consideration of $48.8 million was paid to MSI in relation to the opening the cash balance. The income statement impact relating to these fair value adjustments is not significant.
	The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition (in thousands):
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	101,441
	Accounts receivable (1)			436,577
	Inventories			261,366
	Deferred income taxes, current			113,745
	Other current assets			22,061
	Property and equipment			125,846
	Intangible assets			1,014,421
	Other non-current assets			49,592
	Deferred revenue			(172,161	)
	Tax liabilities			(9,410	)
	Other current liabilities (2)			(366,453	)
	Long-term deferred revenue			(102,424	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits			(9,526	)
	Other non-current liabilities			(24,884	)
	Deferred income taxes			(219,712	)
	Total identifiable net assets		$	1,220,479
	-1	Based on the preliminary purchase price allocations, accounts receivable estimated fair value is $436.6 million and gross contractual value of $457.4 million. The difference represents Zebra’s best estimate of the contractual cash flows that will not be collected.
	-2	Other current liabilities include accounts payable, customer reserves, and employee compensation and related benefits
	On a preliminary basis pending the receipt of final valuations, the purchase price was allocated to identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values resulting in goodwill of $2.329 billion.
	Currently, the entire goodwill is assigned to the Enterprise segment. The final assignment of goodwill to reporting units has not been completed as of the date these financial statements are issued.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements
	Financial assets and liabilities are to be measured using inputs from three levels of the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Zebra uses a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels:
	Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.
	Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.
	In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. In addition we consider counterparty credit risk in the assessment of fair value.
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of April 4, 2015, are classified below (in thousands):
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Forward contracts (1)		$	3,794	$	10,280	$	0		$	14,074
	Money market investments related to the deferred compensation plan			7,254		0		0			7,254
	Total assets at fair value		$	11,048	$	10,280	$	0		$	21,328
	Liabilities:
	Forward interest rate swap contracts (2)		$	0	$	26,762	$	0		$	26,762
	Liabilities related to the deferred compensation plan			7,254		0		0			7,254
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	7,254	$	26,762	$	0		$	34,016
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of December 31, 2014, are classified below (in thousands):
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	U.S. government and agency securities		$	10,720	$	0	$	0		$	10,720
	Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises (3)			0		705		0			705
	State and municipal bonds			0		5,179		0			5,179
	Corporate securities			0		7,781		0			7,781
	Investments subtotal			10,720		13,665		0			24,385
	Forward contracts (1)			2,039		7,279		0			9,318
	Money market investments related to the deferred compensation plan			6,008		0		0			6,008
	Total assets at fair value		$	18,767	$	20,944	$	0		$	39,711
	Liabilities:
	Forward interest rate swap contracts (2)		$	0	$	16,718	$	0		$	16,718
	Liabilities related to the deferred compensation plan			6,008		0		0			6,008
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	6,008	$	16,718	$	0		$	22,726
	1)	The fair value of forward contracts is calculated as follows:
		a.	Fair value of a collar or put option contract associated with forecasted sales hedges is calculated using bid and ask rates for similar contracts.
		b.	Fair value of regular forward contracts associated with forecasted sales hedges is calculated using the period-end exchange rate adjusted for current forward points.
		c.	Fair value of balance sheet hedges is calculated at the period end exchange rate adjusted for current forward points unless the hedge has been traded but not settled at period end. If this is the case, the fair value is calculated at the rate at which the hedge is being settled.
	2)	The fair value of forward interest rate swap contracts is based upon a valuation model that uses relevant observable market inputs at quoted intervals, such as forward yield curves, and is adjusted for Zebra’s own credit risk and the interest rate swap terms.
	3)	Includes investments in notes issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
	The following is a summary of investments (in thousands):
			As of December 31, 2014
			Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
			Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
					Gains		Losses
	U.S. government and agency securities		$	10,720	$	0	$	0		$	10,720
	Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises			705		0		0			705
	State and municipal bonds			5,156		27		(4	)		5,179
	Corporate securities			7,779		12		(10	)		7,781
	Total investments		$	24,360	$	39	$	(14	)	$	24,385
	The carrying value for Zebra’s financial instruments classified as current assets (other than short-term investments) and current liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	Note 5 – Accounts Receivable
	The components of accounts receivable are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Gross Accounts receivable	$	639,873		$	671,471
	Accounts receivable reserves		(1,920	)		(1,069	)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	637,953		$	670,402

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Note 6 – Inventories
	The components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Raw material	$	157,271		$	139,647
	Work in process		472			476
	Finished goods		256,973			259,872
	Inventories, gross		414,716			399,995
	Inventory reserves		(9,247	)		(5,819	)
	Inventories, net	$	405,469		$	394,176

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	In 2014, we acquired intangible assets in the amount of $1.014 billion for developed technology, customer relationships and trade names associated with the Acquisition. These intangible assets have an estimated useful life ranging from 1 to 15 years. See Note 3 Business Combinations for specific information regarding the Acquisition.
	Intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Current technology	$	23,201		$	23,201
	Trade names		40,300			40,300
	Unpatented technology		280,000			280,000
	Patents and patent rights		244,569			244,569
	Customer relationships		532,591			532,591
	Accumulated amortization		(158,957	)		(91,368	)
	Other intangibles, net	$	961,704		$	1,029,293
	Amortization of intangibles assets was $67.6 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 respectively.
	In 2014, we acquired goodwill in the amount of $2.329 billion, see Note 3 Business Combinations for specific information regarding the Acquisition.

Other_Assets

Other Assets	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Assets	Note 8 Other Assets
	Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Investments related to the deferred compensation plan	$	7,254	$	6,008
	Long-term investments		30,180		31,759
	Other long-term assets		23,163		22,652
	Long-term trade receivable		15,888		16,985
	Long-term notes receivable		14,231		14,231
	Deposits		1,561		1,486
	Total	$	92,277	$	93,121
	The long-term investments are primarily in venture capital backed technology companies and our ownership interest is between 2.0% to 8.3%.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	Note 9 Accrued Liabilities
	The components of accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Accrued payroll	$	55,201	$	73,582
	Accrued warranty		26,913		24,666
	Accrued taxes		6,928		11,446
	Interest payable		54,207		34,727
	Amount owed to seller		0		48,806
	Customer reserves		54,977		39,201
	Accrued other expenses		172,880		188,642
	Total accrued liabilities	$	371,106	$	421,070

Costs_Associated_with_Exit_and

Costs Associated with Exit and Restructuring Activities	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Costs Associated with Exit and Restructuring Activities	Note 10 – Costs Associated with Exit and Restructuring Activities
	During the first quarter 2015, Zebra incurred exit and restructuring costs resulting from organizational design changes primarily related to the Acquisition as follows (in thousands):
	Type of Cost	Costs incurred for			Total costs			Total costs
		the three months			incurred as			expected to
		ended April 4,			of April 4,			be incurred
		2015			2015
	Severance, stay bonuses, and other employee-related expenses	$	11,097		$	11,097		$	11,097
	Professional services		72			72			72
	Total	$	11,169		$	11,169		$	11,169
	Exit and restructuring charges for the three months ended April 4, 2015 were $1.5 million and $9.7 million for the Legacy Zebra segment and Enterprise segment, respectively. Additional costs to be incurred in connection with this program are not expected to be significant.
	As of December 31, 2014, we have incurred the following exit and restructuring costs related to the 2014 organization design changes, Location Solutions business management structure and manufacturing operations relocation and restructuring (in thousands):
	Type of Cost	Cost incurred			Costs incurred for			Total costs		Total costs
		through			the twelve months			incurred as		expected to
		December 31,			ended December 31,			of December 31,		be incurred
		2013			2014			2014
	Severance, stay bonuses, and other employee-related expenses	$	6,650		$	5,991		$	12,641	$	12,641
	Professional services		180			16			196		196
	Relocation and transition costs		20			0			20		20
	Total	$	6,850		$	6,007		$	12,857	$	12,857
	A rollforward of the exit and restructuring accruals is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Balance at the beginning of period	$	6,830		$	1,252
	Charged to earnings		11,169			267
	Cash paid		(9,758	)		(1,190	)
	Balance at the end of period	$	8,241		$	329
	Liabilities related to exit and restructuring activities are included in accrued liabilities.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments	Note 11 – Derivative Instruments
	Portions of our operations are subject to fluctuations in currency values. We manage these risks using derivative financial instruments. We conduct business on a multinational basis in a wide variety of foreign currencies. Our exposure to market risk for changes in foreign currency exchange rates arises from international financing activities between subsidiaries, foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities and transactions arising from international trade. Our objective is to preserve the economic value of non-functional currency denominated cash flows. We attempt to hedge transaction exposures with natural offsets to the fullest extent possible and, once these opportunities have been exhausted, through foreign exchange forward and option contracts with third parties.
	In addition, we have exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates resulting from the variable interest payments on the term facility that was used to fund the Acquisition. We entered into forward interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk associated with the Term Loan.
	The fair value of the forward starting interest rate swap contracts is estimated using market quoted forward interest rates for the London Interbank Offered Rate “LIBOR” at the balance sheet date and the application of such rates subject to the interest rate swap terms. In accordance with ASC 815, Derivative and Hedging we recognize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure them at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated as and qualifies for hedge accounting.
	Credit and market risk
	Financial instruments, including derivatives, expose us to counter party credit risk for nonperformance and to market risk related to interest and currency exchange rates. We manage our exposure to counterparty credit risk through specific minimum credit standards, diversification of counterparties, and procedures to monitor concentrations of credit risk. Our counterparties in derivative transactions are commercial banks with significant experience using derivative instruments. We monitor the impact of market risk on the fair value and cash flows of our derivative and other financial instruments considering reasonably possible changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates and restrict the use of derivative financial instruments to hedging activities. We continually monitor the creditworthiness of our customers to which we grant credit terms in the normal course of business. The terms and conditions of our credit sales are designed to mitigate or eliminate concentrations of credit risk with any single customer.
	Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
	Zebra has determined that derivative instruments for hedges that have traded but have not settled are considered Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy, and hedges that have not traded are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Derivative instruments are used to manage risk and are not used for trading or other speculative purposes, nor do we use leveraged derivative financial instruments. Our foreign currency exchange contracts are valued using broker quotations or market transactions, in either the listed or over-the-counter markets.
	Hedging of Net Assets
	We use forward contracts to manage exposure related to our pound and euro denominated net assets. Forward contracts typically mature within three months after execution of the contracts. We record gains and losses on these contracts and options in income each quarter along with the transaction gains and losses related to our net asset positions, which would ordinarily offset each other.
	Summary financial information related to these activities included in our consolidated statements of operations as other income (expense) is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Realized gains from foreign exchange derivatives	$	1,100		$	25
	Loss on net foreign currency assets		(28,291	)		(317	)
	Foreign exchange (loss)	$	(27,191	)	$	(292	)
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Notional balance of outstanding contracts:
	Pound/US dollar	£	6,643		£	4,574
	Euro/US dollar	€	40,852		€	40,218
	Net fair value of outstanding contracts	$	259		$	250
	Hedging of Anticipated Sales
	We can manage the exchange rate risk of anticipated euro-denominated sales using purchased options, forward contracts, and participating forwards. We designate these contracts as cash flow hedges which mature within twelve months after the execution of the contracts. Gains and losses on these contracts are deferred in other comprehensive income until the contracts are settled and the hedged sales are realized. The deferred gains or losses will then be reported as an increase or decrease to sales.
	Summary financial information related to the cash flow hedges is as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Change in unrealized gains on anticipated sales hedging:
	Gross	$	2,112		$	780
	Income tax expense		422			167
	Net	$	1,690		$	613
	Summary financial information related to the cash flow hedges of future revenues follows (in thousands, except percentages):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Notional balance of outstanding contracts versus the dollar	€	90,306		€	88,969
	Hedge effectiveness		100	%		100	%
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Net gains (losses) included in revenue	$	6,435		$	(971	)
	Forward Contracts
	We record our forward contracts at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet as a current asset or current liability, depending upon the fair value calculation as detailed in Note 4 of Zebra’s consolidated financial statements. The amounts recorded on our consolidated balance sheet are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	14,074		$	9,318
	Total	$	14,074		$	9,318
	Forward Interest Rate Swaps
	The forward interest rate swaps hedge the interest rate risk associated with the variable interest payments on our Term Loan that was used to fund the Acquisition.
	In June 2014, we entered into a commitment letter for a new variable rate credit facility to fund the Acquisition and we also entered into two tranches of floating-to-fixed forward interest rate swaps (“Original Swaps”). These Original Swaps were used to economically hedge interest rate risk associated with the variable rate commitment until July 30, 2014, and as such, changes in their fair value were recognized in earnings in other income (expense). Effective July 30, 2014, the Original Swaps were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate exposure associated with variability in future cash flows on the variable rate commitment. On October 27, 2014, the variable rate commitment was funded and we entered into a Term Loan that accrues interest at a variable rate of LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.75% per annum) plus a margin of 4.0%. On October 30, 2014, we discontinued hedge accounting for the Original Swaps due to the syndication of the Original Swaps to a group of commercial banks (“Syndicated Swaps”), which resulted in their termination. The changes in fair value of the Original Swaps between July 30, 2014 and their termination were included in other comprehensive income (loss), and any ineffectiveness was insignificant. The amounts included in other comprehensive income (loss) will be amortized to earnings in other income (expense) as the interest payments under the Term Loan affect earnings. The Syndicated Swaps were not designated as hedges and the changes in fair value are recognized in earnings in other income (expense).
	On November 20, 2014 we entered into additional floating-to-fixed forward starting interest rate swaps (“New Swaps”) and designated these as cash flow hedges of interest rate exposure associated with variability in future cash flows on our Term Loan. To offset the impact to earnings of the changes in fair value of the Syndicated Swaps, we also entered into fixed-to-floating forward starting interest rate swaps (“Offsetting Swaps”), which were not designated in a hedging relationship and the changes in the fair value are recognized in earnings in other income (expense). Changes in fair value of the New Swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges and are effective at offsetting variability in the future cash flows on our Term Loan are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Ineffectiveness is immediately recognized in earnings.
	The location of the forward interest rate swaps designated in a hedge relationship is as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Liabilities:
	Other long-term liabilities	$	13,904		$	2,170
	Total	$	13,904		$	2,170
	The interest rate swap designated in a hedging relationship is highly effective.
	The forward interest rate swaps not designated in a hedging relationship are recorded in a net liability position of $12.9 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The gross and net amounts offset at April 4, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
		Gross Fair			Counterparty			Net Fair
		Value			Offsetting			Value in the
								Consolidated
								Balance
								Sheets
Counterparty A	$	11,543		$	5,862		$	5,681
Counterparty B		3,697			1,140			2,557
Counterparty C		4,221			1,422			2,799
Counterparty D		7,962			2,760			5,202
Counterparty E		4,058			1,343			2,715
Counterparty F		4,103			1,377			2,726
Counterparty G		5,082			0			5,082
Total	$	40,666		$	13,904		$	26,762
The volume of the forward interest rate swaps, New Swaps, designated in a hedge relationship is as follows (in thousands):
	As of
	April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	$	3,339,000		$	3,339,000
The New Swaps, each with a term of one year, are designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate exposure associated with variability in future cash flows on the Term Loan. The notional amount of the designated New Swaps effective in each year of the cash flow hedge relationships does not exceed the principal amount of the Term Loan which is hedged. The New Swaps have the following notional amounts per year (in thousands):
Year 2015	$	1,010,000
Year 2016		697,000
Year 2017		544,000
Year 2018		544,000
Year 2019		272,000
Year 2020		272,000
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	$	3,339,000
The gain (loss) recognized on the forward interest rate swaps not designated in a hedge relationship is as follows (in thousands):
	Three Months Ended
	April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
Gain on forward interest-rate swaps	$	1,689		$	0
The gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) on the forward interest rate swaps designated in a hedging relationship is as follows (in thousands):
	As of
	April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging:
Gross	$	(11,734	)	$	0
Income tax (benefit)		(4,683	)		0
Total	$	(7,051	)	$	0
No gain (loss) was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings on the forward interest rate swaps designated in a hedging relationship during the three month periods ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014.
At April 4, 2015, we expect that approximately $6.0 million in losses on the forward interest rate swaps designated in a hedging relationship will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings during the next 4 quarters.

Warranty

Warranty	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Warranty	Note 12 – Warranty
	In general, Zebra provides warranty coverage of one year on mobile computing products and WLAN products. Advanced data capture products are warranted from 1-5 years, depending on the product. Printers are warranted for one year against defects in material and workmanship. Thermal printheads are warranted for six months and batteries are warranted for one year. Battery based products, such as location tags, are covered by a 90-day warranty. A provision for warranty expense is recorded at the time of sale and is adjusted quarterly based on historical warranty experience.
	The following table is a summary of Zebra’s accrued warranty obligation (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Balance at the beginning of period	$	24,666		$	4,125
	Warranty expense		8,652			1,510
	Warranty payments		(6,405	)		(1,673	)
	Balance at the end of period	$	26,913		$	3,962

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Note 13 – Long-Term Debt
	The following table summarizes the carrying value of our debt (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Senior Notes	$	1,050,000		$	1,050,000
	Term loan		2,150,000			2,200,000
	Less unamortized discounts		(55,823	)		(59,516	)
	Total outstanding debt		3,144,177			3,190,484
	Current maturities of long-term debt		0			16,500
	Less: current portion of unamortized discounts		0			(8,978	)
	Total short-term debt		0			7,522
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	3,144,177		$	3,182,962
	The estimated fair value of our long-term debt approximated $3.3 billion at April 4, 2015 and December 31, 2014. These fair value amounts represent the estimated value at which our lenders could trade our debt within the financial markets and does not represent the settlement value of these long-term debt liabilities to us. The fair value of the long-term debt will continue to vary each period based on fluctuations in market interest rates, as well as changes to our credit ratings. This methodology resulted in a Level 2 classification in the fair value hierarchy.
	Private Offering
	On October 15, 2014, Zebra completed a private offering of $1.05 billion aggregate principal of 7.25% Senior Notes due October 15, 2022 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes yielded an effective interest rate of 7.61% at issuance. The Senior Notes are governed by the terms of an indenture, dated as of October 15, 2014, by and among Zebra and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable in cash on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 2015.
	The Indenture covering the Senior Notes contains certain various restrictive and affirmative covenants. In addition, the Senior Notes are guaranteed jointly and severally, on a senior and unsecured basis by Zebra’s direct and indirect wholly-owned existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.
	Credit Facilities
	On October 27, 2014, Zebra entered into a new credit agreement which provides for a term loan of $2.2 billion (“Term Loan”) and a revolving credit facility of $250.0 million (“Revolving Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Term Loan bear interest at a variable rate plus an applicable margin, subject to an all-in floor of 4.75%. As of April 4, 2015, the Term Loan interest rate was 4.75%. Interest payments are payable quarterly, starting January 27, 2015. Zebra has entered into interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk on its long-term debt. See Note 11 Derivative Instruments.
	The credit agreement requires Zebra to prepay the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility, under certain circumstances or transactions defined in the credit agreement. Also, Zebra may make optional prepayments of the Term Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty. Zebra made such optional principal prepayments of $50.0 million and $30.0 million on March 15, 2015 and May 13, 2015 respectively. Unless satisfied by further optional prepayments Zebra is required to make scheduled quarterly principal payments of $5.5 million beginning March 31, 2019, with the balance of $2.1 billion due on October 27, 2021.
	The Revolving Credit Facility is available for working capital and other general corporate purposes including letters of credit. The amount (including letters of credit) shall not exceed $250.0 million. As of April 4, 2015, Zebra had established letters of credit amounting to $3.1 million, which reduced funds available for other borrowings under the agreement to $246.9 million. The Revolving Credit Facility will mature and the commitments thereunder will terminate on October 27, 2019.
	Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate plus an applicable margin. As of April 4, 2015, the Revolving Credit Facility interest rate was 3.25%. Interest payments are payable quarterly. As of April 4, 2015 and December 31 2014, Zebra did not have any borrowings against the Revolving Credit Facility.
	The Credit Facilities contains various restrictive and affirmative covenants and are collateralized by a security interest in substantially all of Zebra’s assets as defined in the security agreement and guaranteed by its direct and indirect wholly-owned existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Note 14 – Contingencies
	We are subject to a variety of investigations, claims, suits and other legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business, including but not limited to, intellectual property, employment, tort and breach of contract matters. We currently believe that the outcomes of such proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on our business, cash flows, financial position, or results of operations. Any legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and management’s view of these matters and their potential effects may change in the future.

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (Loss) Per Share	Note 15 – Earnings (Loss) Per Share
	Earnings (loss) per share were computed as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Weighted average shares:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		50,667			50,402
	Effect of dilutive securities outstanding		0			572
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		50,667			50,974
	Basic per share amounts:
	Net (loss) income	$	(25,297	)	$	41,606
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		50,667			50,402
	Per share amount	$	(0.50	)	$	0.83
	Diluted per share amounts:
	Net (loss) income	$	(25,297	)	$	41,606
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		50,667			50,974
	Per share amount	$	(0.50	)	$	0.82
	Potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from the earnings per share calculation consist of stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs) with an exercise price greater than the average market closing price of the Class A common stock. These excluded options and SARs were as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Potentially dilutive shares		0			0

EquityBased_Compensation

Equity-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity-Based Compensation	Note 16 – Equity-Based Compensation
	Zebra has an equity-based compensation plan and an employee stock purchase plan under which shares of our common stock were available for future grants and sales. Zebra recognizes compensation costs using the straight-line method over the vesting period upon grant of up to 5 years.
	Pre-tax equity-based compensation expense recognized in income was $8.8 million and $3.0 million for the three month periods ending April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. Tax related benefits of $3.1 million and $1.0 million were also recognized for the three month periods ending April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively.
	The company issued 175,261 and 123,019 shares in connection with stock based compensation and employee stock purchase programs during the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 respectively.
	The fair value of equity-based compensation is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial model. Volatility is based on an average of the implied volatility in the open market and the annualized volatility of Zebra stock prices over our entire stock history. Stock option grants in the table below include both stock options, all of which were non-qualified, and stock appreciation rights (SARs) that will be settled in Zebra stock. Restricted stock grants are valued at the market closing price on the grant date. The following table shows the weighted-average assumptions used for grants of SARs as well as the fair value of the grants based on those assumptions:
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	Forfeiture rate		10.32	%		10.31	%
	Volatility		34.92	%		32	%
	Risk free interest rate		1.73	%		0.82	%
	Range of interest rates		0.02% - 2.61	%		0.02% - 1.78	%
	Expected weighted-average life		5.36 years			5.42 years
	Fair value of SARs granted	$	70,234		$	85,149
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of SARs granted (per underlying share)	$	28.82		$	65.75
	Stock option activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Options	Shares			Weighted-Average			Weighted-Average		Aggregate
					Exercise Price			remaining contractual		Intrinsic
								term		Value
	Outstanding at beginning of year		415,960		$	40.19
	Exercised		(133,981	)		44.36
	Expired		(1,550	)		51.62
	Outstanding at end of period		280,429		$	38.13			2.5 Years	$	13.6 million
	Exercisable at end of period		280,429		$	38.13			2.5 Years	$	13.6 million
	Intrinsic value of exercised options	$	5,709,000
	SARs activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	SARs	Shares			Weighted-Average			Weighted-Average		Aggregate
					Exercise Price			remaining contractual		Intrinsic
								term		Value
	Outstanding at beginning of year		1,292,142		$	42.2
	Granted		2,437			85.82
	Exercised		(32,159	)		34.34
	Forfeited		(3,569	)		50.62
	Outstanding at end of period		1,258,851		$	42.46			6.8 years	$	55.6 million
	Exercisable at end of period		556,517		$	32.99			5.8 years	$	29.9 million
	Intrinsic value of exercised SARs	$	1,688,000
	Restricted stock award activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Restricted Stock Awards	Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at beginning of year		691,621		$	60.06
	Granted		2,053			85.82
	Released		(4,239	)		42.56
	Forfeited		(12,437	)		71.82
	Outstanding at end of period		676,998		$	60.06
	Performance share award activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Performance Share Awards	Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at beginning of year		374,180		$	61.53
	Released		1,703			85.82
	Forfeited		(3,530	)		73.07
	Outstanding at end of period		372,353		$	61.53
	Restricted stock unit activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Restricted Stock Units	Shares
	Outstanding at beginning of year		41,964
	Released		(34	)
	Forfeited		(1,305	)
	Outstanding at end of period		40,625
	Performance stock unit activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
Performance Stock Units	Shares
Outstanding at beginning of year		10,345
Forfeited		(680	)
Outstanding at end of period		9,665
As of April 4, 2015 total unearned compensation costs related to Zebra’s equity based compensation plans was $45.7 million which will be amortized over the weighted average remaining service period of 1.7 years.
The fair value of the purchase rights issued to Zebra employees under the stock purchase plan is estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions for purchase rights granted. Expected lives of three months to one year have been used along with these assumptions.
	Three Months Ended
	April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
Fair market value	$	77.41		$	54.08
Option price	$	73.54		$	51.38
Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%
Expected volatility		23	%		33	%
Risk free interest rate		0.04	%		0.07	%

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 17 – Income Taxes
	In the first quarter of 2015 we recognized a tax benefit of $32.9 million compared to a tax provision of $11.9 million for the corresponding period in the prior year. Zebra’s effective tax rates were 56.5% and 22.3% as of April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. Zebra’s effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate of 35% in 2015 primarily due to pre-tax losses in the Unites States and pre-tax income in various non-US jurisdictions. Zebra’s effective tax rate in 2014 benefited from lower taxes on income in various non-US jurisdictions.

Other_Comprehensive_Income

Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income	Note 18 – Other Comprehensive Income
	Stockholders’ equity includes certain items classified as accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), including:
		•		Unrealized gains (losses) on anticipated sales hedging transactions relate to derivative instruments used to hedge the currency exchange rates for forecasted euro sales. These hedges are designated as cash flow hedges, and we have deferred income statement recognition of gains and losses until the hedged transaction occurs. See Note 11 for more details.
		•		Unrealized gains (losses) on forward interest rate swap hedging transactions refer to the hedging of the interest rate risk associated with the variable rate commitment entered into for the Acquisition. See Note 11 for more details.
		•		Unrealized gains (losses) on investments are deferred from income statement recognition until the gains or losses are realized.
		•		Foreign currency translation adjustment relates to our non-U.S. subsidiary companies that have designated a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. We are required to translate the subsidiary functional currency financial statements to dollars using a combination of historical, period-end, and average foreign exchange rates. This combination of rates creates the foreign currency translation adjustment component of other comprehensive income.
	The components of other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
	2015		As of			Gain (Loss)			Gain (Loss)			Three Months			As of
			December 31,			recognized in			reclassified from			ended April 4,			April 4, 2015
			2014			OCI			AOCI to income			2015
	Unrealized gains (losses) on anticipated sales hedging transactions:
	Gross		$	6,658		$	(4,323	)	$	6,435	(1)		2,112		$	8,770
	Income tax (benefit)			1,332			(865	)		1,287			422			1,754
	Net			5,326			(3,458	)		5,148			1,690			7,016
	Unrealized gains (losses) on forward interest rate swaps hedging transactions:
	Gross			(12,069	)		(11,734	)		0	(2)		(11,734	)		(23,803	)
	Income tax (benefit)			(4,370	)		(4,683	)		0			(4,683	)		(9,053	)
	Net			(7,699	)		(7,051	)		0			(7,051	)		(14,750	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
	Gross			102			0			(25	)(3)		(25	)		77
	Income tax (benefit)			(245	)		0			(9	)		(9	)		(254	)
	Net			347			0			(16	)		(16	)		331
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(6,521	)		(1,712	)		0	(4)		(1,712	)		(8,233	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive gains (losses)		$	(8,547	)	$	(12,221	)	$	5,132		$	(7,089	)	$	(15,636	)
	2014		As of			Gain (Loss)			Gain (Loss)			Three Months			As of
			December 31,			recognized in			reclassified from			ended March 29,			March 29, 2014
			2013			OCI			AOCI to income			2014
	Unrealized gains (losses) on anticipated sales hedging transactions:
	Gross		$	(2,373	)	$	1,771		$	(991	)(1)	$	780		$	(1,593	)
	Income tax (benefit)			(509	)		380			(213	)		167			(342	)
	Net			(1,864	)		1,391			(778	)		613			(1,251	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
	Gross			(151	)		121			81	(3)		202			51
	Income tax (benefit)			(73	)		29			25			54			(19	)
	Net			(78	)		92			56			148			70
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(7,839	)		(160	)		(7	)(4)		(167	)		(8,006	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive gains (losses)		$	(9,781	)	$	1,323		$	(729	)	$	594		$	(9,187	)
	-1	Transfer of unrealized gains and (losses) from AOCI to income on anticipated sales hedging transactions are included in net sales of tangible products.
	-2	Transfer from AOCI to income and (losses) on forward interest rate swap hedging transactions are reported in forward swaps gain.
	-3	Transfer of unrealized gains and (losses) from AOCI to income on investments are included in investment income.
	-4	Transfer of foreign currency translation gains and (losses) from AOCI to income, are included in foreign exchange loss.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Note 19 – Segment Information
	Subsequent to the Acquisition, on October 27, 2014, Zebra has two reportable segments: Legacy Zebra (“Z”) and Enterprise (“E”). Segment assets are not reviewed by Zebra’s chief operating decision maker and therefore are not disclosed below:
			Three Months Ended
			April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Net Sales:
	Z – Net sales		$	331,643		$	288,268
	E – Net sales			567,174			0
	Total segment net sales		$	898,817		$	288,268
	Corporate, eliminations (1)			(5,633	)		0
	Total		$	893,184		$	288,268
	Operating income (loss):
	Z – Operating income		$	77,449		$	61,286
	E – Operating income			53,895			0
	Total segment operating income		$	131,344		$	61,286
	Corporate, eliminations (2)			(111,570	)		(7,878	)
	Total		$	19,774		$	53,408
	-1	Amount included in Corporate, eliminations consist of purchase accounting adjustments related to the Acquisition.
	-2	Amounts included in Corporate, eliminations consist of purchase accounting adjustments not reported in segments: amortization expense, acquisition integration expense and exit and restructuring costs.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 20 – Subsequent Events
	Since the date of the Enterprise acquisition Zebra has been working on and executing against its integration plan for the Enterprise business (the “Integration Plan”). Zebra anticipates completing the Integration Plan as soon as practicable and expects that the Integration Plan will allow the combined businesses to achieve further synergies and cost savings associated with the acquisition. As part of the Integration Plan, Zebra began realigning certain acquired assets of the Enterprise business with and into the Zebra corporate structure and business model in April 2015. The April 2015 transactions are expected to result in a charge of approximately $32 million to income tax expense in the second quarter of 2015.
	On May 13, 2015 Zebra made principal prepayments of $30.0 million under its Term Loan. See Note 13 Long-Term Debt.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Pro1

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2015-03 “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” This guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this ASU. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those annual periods. Management is assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued update 2014-09, ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This guidance is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. In April 2015, the FASB issued an exposure draft that would delay by one year the effective date of its new revenue recognition standard; comments are due by May 29, 2015. Management is assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities	The following table summarizes the preliminary estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition (in thousands):
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	101,441
	Accounts receivable (1)			436,577
	Inventories			261,366
	Deferred income taxes, current			113,745
	Other current assets			22,061
	Property and equipment			125,846
	Intangible assets			1,014,421
	Other non-current assets			49,592
	Deferred revenue			(172,161	)
	Tax liabilities			(9,410	)
	Other current liabilities (2)			(366,453	)
	Long-term deferred revenue			(102,424	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits			(9,526	)
	Other non-current liabilities			(24,884	)
	Deferred income taxes			(219,712	)
	Total identifiable net assets		$	1,220,479
	-1	Based on the preliminary purchase price allocations, accounts receivable estimated fair value is $436.6 million and gross contractual value of $457.4 million. The difference represents Zebra’s best estimate of the contractual cash flows that will not be collected.
	-2	Other current liabilities include accounts payable, customer reserves, and employee compensation and related benefits

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of April 4, 2015, are classified below (in thousands):
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	Forward contracts (1)		$	3,794	$	10,280	$	0		$	14,074
	Money market investments related to the deferred compensation plan			7,254		0		0			7,254
	Total assets at fair value		$	11,048	$	10,280	$	0		$	21,328
	Liabilities:
	Forward interest rate swap contracts (2)		$	0	$	26,762	$	0		$	26,762
	Liabilities related to the deferred compensation plan			7,254		0		0			7,254
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	7,254	$	26,762	$	0		$	34,016
	Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of December 31, 2014, are classified below (in thousands):
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3			Total
	Assets:
	U.S. government and agency securities		$	10,720	$	0	$	0		$	10,720
	Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises (3)			0		705		0			705
	State and municipal bonds			0		5,179		0			5,179
	Corporate securities			0		7,781		0			7,781
	Investments subtotal			10,720		13,665		0			24,385
	Forward contracts (1)			2,039		7,279		0			9,318
	Money market investments related to the deferred compensation plan			6,008		0		0			6,008
	Total assets at fair value		$	18,767	$	20,944	$	0		$	39,711
	Liabilities:
	Forward interest rate swap contracts (2)		$	0	$	16,718	$	0		$	16,718
	Liabilities related to the deferred compensation plan			6,008		0		0			6,008
	Total liabilities at fair value		$	6,008	$	16,718	$	0		$	22,726
	1)	The fair value of forward contracts is calculated as follows:
		a.	Fair value of a collar or put option contract associated with forecasted sales hedges is calculated using bid and ask rates for similar contracts.
		b.	Fair value of regular forward contracts associated with forecasted sales hedges is calculated using the period-end exchange rate adjusted for current forward points.
		c.	Fair value of balance sheet hedges is calculated at the period end exchange rate adjusted for current forward points unless the hedge has been traded but not settled at period end. If this is the case, the fair value is calculated at the rate at which the hedge is being settled.
	2)	The fair value of forward interest rate swap contracts is based upon a valuation model that uses relevant observable market inputs at quoted intervals, such as forward yield curves, and is adjusted for Zebra’s own credit risk and the interest rate swap terms.
	3)	Includes investments in notes issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal Home Loan Bank.
Summary of Investments	The following is a summary of investments (in thousands):
			As of December 31, 2014
			Amortized		Gross		Gross			Estimated
			Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair Value
					Gains		Losses
	U.S. government and agency securities		$	10,720	$	0	$	0		$	10,720
	Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises			705		0		0			705
	State and municipal bonds			5,156		27		(4	)		5,179
	Corporate securities			7,779		12		(10	)		7,781
	Total investments		$	24,360	$	39	$	(14	)	$	24,385

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Components of Accounts Receivable	The components of accounts receivable are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Gross Accounts receivable	$	639,873		$	671,471
	Accounts receivable reserves		(1,920	)		(1,069	)
	Accounts receivable, net	$	637,953		$	670,402

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Inventories	The components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Raw material	$	157,271		$	139,647
	Work in process		472			476
	Finished goods		256,973			259,872
	Inventories, gross		414,716			399,995
	Inventory reserves		(9,247	)		(5,819	)
	Inventories, net	$	405,469		$	394,176

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortized Intangible Assets	Intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Current technology	$	23,201		$	23,201
	Trade names		40,300			40,300
	Unpatented technology		280,000			280,000
	Patents and patent rights		244,569			244,569
	Customer relationships		532,591			532,591
	Accumulated amortization		(158,957	)		(91,368	)
	Other intangibles, net	$	961,704		$	1,029,293

Other_Assets_Tables

Other Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Other Assets	Other assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Investments related to the deferred compensation plan	$	7,254	$	6,008
	Long-term investments		30,180		31,759
	Other long-term assets		23,163		22,652
	Long-term trade receivable		15,888		16,985
	Long-term notes receivable		14,231		14,231
	Deposits		1,561		1,486
	Total	$	92,277	$	93,121

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Components of Accrued Liabilities	The components of accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015		December 31, 2014
	Accrued payroll	$	55,201	$	73,582
	Accrued warranty		26,913		24,666
	Accrued taxes		6,928		11,446
	Interest payable		54,207		34,727
	Amount owed to seller		0		48,806
	Customer reserves		54,977		39,201
	Accrued other expenses		172,880		188,642
	Total accrued liabilities	$	371,106	$	421,070

Costs_Associated_with_Exit_and1

Costs Associated with Exit and Restructuring Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Exit and Restructuring Costs Incurred	During the first quarter 2015, Zebra incurred exit and restructuring costs resulting from organizational design changes primarily related to the Acquisition as follows (in thousands):
	Type of Cost	Costs incurred for			Total costs			Total costs
		the three months			incurred as			expected to
		ended April 4,			of April 4,			be incurred
		2015			2015
	Severance, stay bonuses, and other employee-related expenses	$	11,097		$	11,097		$	11,097
	Professional services		72			72			72
	Total	$	11,169		$	11,169		$	11,169
	As of December 31, 2014, we have incurred the following exit and restructuring costs related to the 2014 organization design changes, Location Solutions business management structure and manufacturing operations relocation and restructuring (in thousands):
	Type of Cost	Cost incurred			Costs incurred for			Total costs		Total costs
		through			the twelve months			incurred as		expected to
		December 31,			ended December 31,			of December 31,		be incurred
		2013			2014			2014
	Severance, stay bonuses, and other employee-related expenses	$	6,650		$	5,991		$	12,641	$	12,641
	Professional services		180			16			196		196
	Relocation and transition costs		20			0			20		20
	Total	$	6,850		$	6,007		$	12,857	$	12,857
Rollforward of Exit and Restructuring Accruals	A rollforward of the exit and restructuring accruals is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Balance at the beginning of period	$	6,830		$	1,252
	Charged to earnings		11,169			267
	Cash paid		(9,758	)		(1,190	)
	Balance at the end of period	$	8,241		$	329

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Financial Information Related to Hedging of Net Assets Included in Consolidated Statements of Operations	Summary financial information related to these activities included in our consolidated statements of operations as other income (expense) is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Realized gains from foreign exchange derivatives	$	1,100		$	25
	Loss on net foreign currency assets		(28,291	)		(317	)
	Foreign exchange (loss)	$	(27,191	)	$	(292	)
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Notional balance of outstanding contracts:
	Pound/US dollar	£	6,643		£	4,574
	Euro/US dollar	€	40,852		€	40,218
	Net fair value of outstanding contracts	$	259		$	250
Financial Information Related to Cash Flow Hedges	Summary financial information related to the cash flow hedges is as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Change in unrealized gains on anticipated sales hedging:
	Gross	$	2,112		$	780
	Income tax expense		422			167
	Net	$	1,690		$	613
Financial Information Related to Cash Flow Hedges of Future Revenues	Summary financial information related to the cash flow hedges of future revenues follows (in thousands, except percentages):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Notional balance of outstanding contracts versus the dollar	€	90,306		€	88,969
	Hedge effectiveness		100	%		100	%
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Net gains (losses) included in revenue	$	6,435		$	(971	)
Forward Contract Amounts Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheet	The amounts recorded on our consolidated balance sheet are as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Assets:
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	14,074		$	9,318
	Total	$	14,074		$	9,318
Schedule of Gross and Net Amount Offset	The gross and net amounts offset at April 4, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
		Gross Fair			Counterparty			Net Fair
		Value			Offsetting			Value in the
								Consolidated
								Balance
								Sheets
	Counterparty A	$	11,543		$	5,862		$	5,681
	Counterparty B		3,697			1,140			2,557
	Counterparty C		4,221			1,422			2,799
	Counterparty D		7,962			2,760			5,202
	Counterparty E		4,058			1,343			2,715
	Counterparty F		4,103			1,377			2,726
	Counterparty G		5,082			0			5,082
	Total	$	40,666		$	13,904		$	26,762
Schedule of Series of Forward Starting Swaps Each with a Term of One Year	The New Swaps have the following notional amounts per year (in thousands):
	Year 2015	$	1,010,000
	Year 2016		697,000
	Year 2017		544,000
	Year 2018		544,000
	Year 2019		272,000
	Year 2020		272,000
	Notional balance of outstanding contracts	$	3,339,000
Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Forward Contract Amounts Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheet	The location of the forward interest rate swaps designated in a hedge relationship is as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Liabilities:
	Other long-term liabilities	$	13,904		$	2,170
	Total	$	13,904		$	2,170
Schedule of Volume of Forward Interest Rate Swaps Designated in Hedge Relationship	The volume of the forward interest rate swaps, New Swaps, designated in a hedge relationship is as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Notional balance of outstanding contracts	$	3,339,000		$	3,339,000
Schedule of Gain (Loss) Recognized on Forward Interest Rate Swaps Not Designated in Hedge Relationship	The gain (loss) recognized on the forward interest rate swaps not designated in a hedge relationship is as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Gain on forward interest-rate swaps	$	1,689		$	0
Schedule of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Forward Interest Rate Swaps Designated in Hedging Relationship	The gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) on the forward interest rate swaps designated in a hedging relationship is as follows (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging:
	Gross	$	(11,734	)	$	0
	Income tax (benefit)		(4,683	)		0
	Total	$	(7,051	)	$	0

Warranty_Tables

Warranty (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Guarantees [Abstract]
Summary of Accrued Warranty Obligation	The following table is a summary of Zebra’s accrued warranty obligation (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Balance at the beginning of period	$	24,666		$	4,125
	Warranty expense		8,652			1,510
	Warranty payments		(6,405	)		(1,673	)
	Balance at the end of period	$	26,913		$	3,962

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Carrying Value of Debt	The following table summarizes the carrying value of our debt (in thousands):
		As of
		April 4, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Senior Notes	$	1,050,000		$	1,050,000
	Term loan		2,150,000			2,200,000
	Less unamortized discounts		(55,823	)		(59,516	)
	Total outstanding debt		3,144,177			3,190,484
	Current maturities of long-term debt		0			16,500
	Less: current portion of unamortized discounts		0			(8,978	)
	Total short-term debt		0			7,522
	Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	3,144,177		$	3,182,962

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share	Earnings (loss) per share were computed as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Weighted average shares:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		50,667			50,402
	Effect of dilutive securities outstanding		0			572
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		50,667			50,974
	Basic per share amounts:
	Net (loss) income	$	(25,297	)	$	41,606
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		50,667			50,402
	Per share amount	$	(0.50	)	$	0.83
	Diluted per share amounts:
	Net (loss) income	$	(25,297	)	$	41,606
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		50,667			50,974
	Per share amount	$	(0.50	)	$	0.82
Potentially Dilutive Securities Excluded from Earnings Per Share Calculation	Potentially dilutive securities that were excluded from the earnings per share calculation consist of stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs) with an exercise price greater than the average market closing price of the Class A common stock. These excluded options and SARs were as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Potentially dilutive shares		0			0

EquityBased_Compensation_Table

Equity-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used for Grants of Stock Options and SARs	The following table shows the weighted-average assumptions used for grants of SARs as well as the fair value of the grants based on those assumptions:
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	Forfeiture rate		10.32	%		10.31	%
	Volatility		34.92	%		32	%
	Risk free interest rate		1.73	%		0.82	%
	Range of interest rates		0.02% - 2.61	%		0.02% - 1.78	%
	Expected weighted-average life		5.36 years			5.42 years
	Fair value of SARs granted	$	70,234		$	85,149
	Weighted-average grant date fair value of SARs granted (per underlying share)	$	28.82		$	65.75
Summary of Stock Option Activity	Stock option activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Options	Shares			Weighted-Average			Weighted-Average		Aggregate
					Exercise Price			remaining contractual		Intrinsic
								term		Value
	Outstanding at beginning of year		415,960		$	40.19
	Exercised		(133,981	)		44.36
	Expired		(1,550	)		51.62
	Outstanding at end of period		280,429		$	38.13			2.5 Years	$	13.6 million
	Exercisable at end of period		280,429		$	38.13			2.5 Years	$	13.6 million
	Intrinsic value of exercised options	$	5,709,000
Summary of SARs Activity	SARs activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	SARs	Shares			Weighted-Average			Weighted-Average		Aggregate
					Exercise Price			remaining contractual		Intrinsic
								term		Value
	Outstanding at beginning of year		1,292,142		$	42.2
	Granted		2,437			85.82
	Exercised		(32,159	)		34.34
	Forfeited		(3,569	)		50.62
	Outstanding at end of period		1,258,851		$	42.46			6.8 years	$	55.6 million
	Exercisable at end of period		556,517		$	32.99			5.8 years	$	29.9 million
	Intrinsic value of exercised SARs	$	1,688,000
Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity	Restricted stock award activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Restricted Stock Awards	Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at beginning of year		691,621		$	60.06
	Granted		2,053			85.82
	Released		(4,239	)		42.56
	Forfeited		(12,437	)		71.82
	Outstanding at end of period		676,998		$	60.06
Summary of Performance Share Award Activity	Performance share award activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Performance Share Awards	Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant Date Fair Value
	Outstanding at beginning of year		374,180		$	61.53
	Released		1,703			85.82
	Forfeited		(3,530	)		73.07
	Outstanding at end of period		372,353		$	61.53
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity	Restricted stock unit activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Restricted Stock Units	Shares
	Outstanding at beginning of year		41,964
	Released		(34	)
	Forfeited		(1,305	)
	Outstanding at end of period		40,625
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used for Employee Purchase Rights Granted Under Stock Purchase Plan	The fair value of the purchase rights issued to Zebra employees under the stock purchase plan is estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions for purchase rights granted. Expected lives of three months to one year have been used along with these assumptions.
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Fair market value	$	77.41		$	54.08
	Option price	$	73.54		$	51.38
	Expected dividend yield		0	%		0	%
	Expected volatility		23	%		33	%
	Risk free interest rate		0.04	%		0.07	%
Performance Stock Units [Member]
Summary of Performance Share Award Activity	Performance stock unit activity was as follows:
		Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Performance Stock Units	Shares
	Outstanding at beginning of year		10,345
	Forfeited		(680	)
	Outstanding at end of period		9,665

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Other Comprehensive Income	The components of other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
	2015		As of			Gain (Loss)			Gain (Loss)			Three Months			As of
			December 31,			recognized in			reclassified from			ended April 4,			April 4, 2015
			2014			OCI			AOCI to income			2015
	Unrealized gains (losses) on anticipated sales hedging transactions:
	Gross		$	6,658		$	(4,323	)	$	6,435	(1)		2,112		$	8,770
	Income tax (benefit)			1,332			(865	)		1,287			422			1,754
	Net			5,326			(3,458	)		5,148			1,690			7,016
	Unrealized gains (losses) on forward interest rate swaps hedging transactions:
	Gross			(12,069	)		(11,734	)		0	(2)		(11,734	)		(23,803	)
	Income tax (benefit)			(4,370	)		(4,683	)		0			(4,683	)		(9,053	)
	Net			(7,699	)		(7,051	)		0			(7,051	)		(14,750	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
	Gross			102			0			(25	)(3)		(25	)		77
	Income tax (benefit)			(245	)		0			(9	)		(9	)		(254	)
	Net			347			0			(16	)		(16	)		331
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(6,521	)		(1,712	)		0	(4)		(1,712	)		(8,233	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive gains (losses)		$	(8,547	)	$	(12,221	)	$	5,132		$	(7,089	)	$	(15,636	)
	2014		As of			Gain (Loss)			Gain (Loss)			Three Months			As of
			December 31,			recognized in			reclassified from			ended March 29,			March 29, 2014
			2013			OCI			AOCI to income			2014
	Unrealized gains (losses) on anticipated sales hedging transactions:
	Gross		$	(2,373	)	$	1,771		$	(991	)(1)	$	780		$	(1,593	)
	Income tax (benefit)			(509	)		380			(213	)		167			(342	)
	Net			(1,864	)		1,391			(778	)		613			(1,251	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
	Gross			(151	)		121			81	(3)		202			51
	Income tax (benefit)			(73	)		29			25			54			(19	)
	Net			(78	)		92			56			148			70
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			(7,839	)		(160	)		(7	)(4)		(167	)		(8,006	)
	Total accumulated other comprehensive gains (losses)		$	(9,781	)	$	1,323		$	(729	)	$	594		$	(9,187	)
	-1	Transfer of unrealized gains and (losses) from AOCI to income on anticipated sales hedging transactions are included in net sales of tangible products.
	-2	Transfer from AOCI to income and (losses) on forward interest rate swap hedging transactions are reported in forward swaps gain.
	-3	Transfer of unrealized gains and (losses) from AOCI to income on investments are included in investment income.
	-4	Transfer of foreign currency translation gains and (losses) from AOCI to income, are included in foreign exchange loss.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information by Reportable Segments	Subsequent to the Acquisition, on October 27, 2014, Zebra has two reportable segments: Legacy Zebra (“Z”) and Enterprise (“E”). Segment assets are not reviewed by Zebra’s chief operating decision maker and therefore are not disclosed below:
			Three Months Ended
			April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Net Sales:
	Z – Net sales		$	331,643		$	288,268
	E – Net sales			567,174			0
	Total segment net sales		$	898,817		$	288,268
	Corporate, eliminations (1)			(5,633	)		0
	Total		$	893,184		$	288,268
	Operating income (loss):
	Z – Operating income		$	77,449		$	61,286
	E – Operating income			53,895			0
	Total segment operating income		$	131,344		$	61,286
	Corporate, eliminations (2)			(111,570	)		(7,878	)
	Total		$	19,774		$	53,408
	-1	Amount included in Corporate, eliminations consist of purchase accounting adjustments related to the Acquisition.
	-2	Amounts included in Corporate, eliminations consist of purchase accounting adjustments not reported in segments: amortization expense, acquisition integration expense and exit and restructuring costs.

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2014	Apr. 04, 2015	Oct. 27, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Increase in assets		$900,000
Decrease in liabilities		-6,100,000
Decrease in goodwill		-7,000,000
Term Loan [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, borrowings	2,200,000,000		2,200,000,000
Enterprise Business [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Preliminary purchase price	3,450,000,000
Ownership percentage of the Enterprise Business.	100.00%		100.00%
Business acquisition, borrowings		3,250,000,000
Business acquisition, consideration paid		3,450,000,000
Additional consideration paid		48,800,000
Business acquisition goodwill amount	2,337,000,000		2,337,000,000
Enterprise Business [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, borrowings		2,200,000,000
Senior notes, maturity year		2021
Enterprise Business [Member] | Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, borrowings		$1,050,000,000
Senior notes, maturity year		2022
Senior notes, stated interest percentage		7.25%

Business_Combinations_Summary_

Business Combinations - Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (Enterprise Business [Member], USD $)	Oct. 27, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Enterprise Business [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$101,441
Accounts receivable	436,577
Inventories	261,366
Deferred income taxes, current	113,745
Other current assets	22,061
Property and equipment	125,846
Intangible assets	1,014,421
Other non-current assets	49,592
Deferred revenue	172,161
Tax liabilities	9,410
Other current liabilities	366,453
Long-term deferred revenue	102,424
Unrecognized tax benefits	9,526
Other non-current liabilities	24,884
Deferred income taxes	219,712
Total identifiable net assets	$1,220,479

Business_Combinations_Summary_1

Business Combinations - Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 27, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Accounts receivable estimated fair value	$436.60
Gross contractual value	$457.40

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	$21,328	$39,711
Total liabilities at fair value	34,016	22,726
Investments subtotal		24,385
U.S. Government and Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		10,720
Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	14,074	9,318
Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	26,762	16,718
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	11,048	18,767
Total liabilities at fair value	7,254	6,008
Investments subtotal		10,720
Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		10,720
Level 1 [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	3,794	2,039
Level 1 [Member] | Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	10,280	20,944
Total liabilities at fair value	26,762	16,718
Investments subtotal		13,665
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		0
Level 2 [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	10,280	7,279
Level 2 [Member] | Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	26,762	16,718
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Investments subtotal		0
Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Government and Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		0
Level 3 [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Obligations of Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		705
Obligations of Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		0
Obligations of Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		705
Obligations of Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		0
State and Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		5,179
State and Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		0
State and Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		5,179
State and Municipal Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		0
Corporate Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		7,781
Corporate Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		0
Corporate Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		7,781
Corporate Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Investments subtotal		0
Money Market Investments Related to the Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	7,254	6,008
Money Market Investments Related to the Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	7,254	6,008
Money Market Investments Related to the Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Money Market Investments Related to the Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Liabilities Related to the Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	7,254	6,008
Liabilities Related to the Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	7,254	6,008
Liabilities Related to the Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Liabilities Related to the Deferred Compensation Plan [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$24,360
Gross Unrealized Gains	39
Gross Unrealized Losses	-14
Estimated Fair Value	24,385
U.S. Government and Agency Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	10,720
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Estimated Fair Value	10,720
Obligations of Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	705
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Estimated Fair Value	705
State and Municipal Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	5,156
Gross Unrealized Gains	27
Gross Unrealized Losses	-4
Estimated Fair Value	5,179
Corporate Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	7,779
Gross Unrealized Gains	12
Gross Unrealized Losses	-10
Estimated Fair Value	$7,781

Accounts_Receivable_Components

Accounts Receivable - Components of Accounts Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]
Gross Accounts receivable	$639,873	$671,471
Accounts receivable reserves	-1,920	-1,069
Accounts receivable, net	$637,953	$670,402

Inventories_Components_of_Inve

Inventories - Components of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw material	$157,271	$139,647
Work in process	472	476
Finished goods	256,973	259,872
Inventories, gross	414,716	399,995
Inventory reserves	-9,247	-5,819
Inventories, net	$405,469	$394,176

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$67,589,000	$2,672,000
Goodwill acquired			2,329,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of Intangible Assets			1 year
Maximum [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of Intangible Assets			15 years
Patents and Other Intellectual Property [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets			$1,014,000,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Amortized Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization	($158,957)	($91,368)
Other intangibles, net	961,704	1,029,293
Current Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	23,201	23,201
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	40,300	40,300
Unpatented Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	280,000	280,000
Patent and Patent Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	244,569	244,569
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross amount	$532,591	$532,591

Other_Assets_Components_of_Oth

Other Assets - Components of Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Investments related to the deferred compensation plan	$7,254	$6,008
Long-term investments	30,180	31,759
Other long-term assets	23,163	22,652
Long-term trade receivable	15,888	16,985
Long-term notes receivable	14,231	14,231
Deposits	1,561	1,486
Total	$92,277	$93,121

Other_Assets_Additional_Inform

Other Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (Enterprise Business [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Minimum [Member]
Other Assets Non Current [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired	2.00%
Maximum [Member]
Other Assets Non Current [Line Items]
Percentage of interest acquired	8.30%

Accrued_Liabilities_Components

Accrued Liabilities - Components of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued payroll	$55,201	$73,582
Accrued warranty	26,913	24,666
Accrued taxes	6,928	11,446
Interest payable	54,207	34,727
Amount owed to seller	0	48,806
Customer reserves	54,977	39,201
Accrued other expenses	172,880	188,642
Total accrued liabilities	$371,106	$421,070

Costs_Associated_with_Exit_and2

Costs Associated with Exit and Restructuring Activities - Summary of Exit and Restructuring Costs Incurred (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		24 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Severance, stay bonuses, and other employee-related expenses	$11,097	$5,991	$6,650	$12,641
Professional services	72	16	180	196
Relocation and transition costs		0	20	20
Total	11,169	6,007	6,850	12,857
Severance, Stay Bonuses, and Other Employee-Related Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total costs expected to be incurred	11,097	12,641
Professional Services [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total costs expected to be incurred	72	196
Relocation and Transition Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total costs expected to be incurred		20
Location Solution And Manufacturing Operations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total costs expected to be incurred	$11,169	$12,857

Costs_Associated_with_Exit_and3

Costs Associated with Exit and Restructuring Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and restructuring charges	$11,169	$267
Zebra Legacy [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and restructuring charges	1,500
Enterprise Solutions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Exit and restructuring charges	$9,700

Costs_Associated_with_Exit_and4

Costs Associated with Exit and Restructuring Activities - Rollforward of Exit and Restructuring Accruals (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of period	$6,830	$1,252
Charged to earnings	11,169	267
Cash paid	-9,758	-1,190
Balance at the end of period	$8,241	$329

Derivative_Instruments_Financi

Derivative Instruments - Financial Information Related to Hedging of Net Assets Included in Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
				Pound/US Dollar [Member]	Pound/US Dollar [Member]	Euro/US Dollar [Member]	Euro/US Dollar [Member]
				GBP (£)	GBP (£)	EUR (€)	EUR (€)
Derivative [Line Items]
Realized gains from foreign exchange derivatives	$1,100	$25
Loss on net foreign currency assets	-28,291	-317
Foreign exchange (loss)	-27,191	-292
Notional balance of outstanding contracts versus the dollar				6,643	4,574	40,852	40,218
Net fair value of outstanding contracts	$259		$250

Derivative_Instruments_Financi1

Derivative Instruments - Financial Information Related to Cash Flow Hedges (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains on anticipated sales hedging, Net	$1,690	$613
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gains on anticipated sales hedging, Gross	2,112	780
Change in unrealized gains on anticipated sales, Income tax expense	422	167
Change in unrealized gains on anticipated sales hedging, Net	$1,690	$613

Derivative_Instruments_Financi2

Derivative Instruments - Financial Information Related to Cash Flow Hedges of Future Revenues (Detail) (Cash Flow Hedging [Member])	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)		Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
				EUR (€)	EUR (€)
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts versus the dollar				€ 90,306	€ 88,969
Hedge effectiveness	100.00%		100.00%
Net gains (losses) included in revenue	$6,435	($971)

Derivative_Instruments_Forward

Derivative Instruments - Forward Contract Amounts Recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Assets	$14,074	$9,318
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total Assets	$14,074	$9,318

Derivative_Instruments_Additio

Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Oct. 27, 2014
	Tranches
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Number of tranches	2
Net liability position of derivatives		$12,900,000
Gain (loss) on accumulated other comprehensive income		0	0
Losses on the forward interest rate swaps designated in a hedging relationship expected to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings during the next 12 months.		$6,000,000
Term Loan [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Interest rate description		Term Loan that accrues interest at a variable rate of LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.75% per annum) plus a margin of 4.0%.
Interest rate variable				4.75%
Floor Rate [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Interest rate variable				0.75%
Margin Rate [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Interest rate variable				4.00%

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul

Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Location of Forward Interest Rate Swaps Designated in Hedge Relationship (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities	$88,373	$74,434
Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities	13,904	2,170
Total	$13,904	$2,170

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul1

Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Gross and Net Amount Offset (Detail) (Balance Sheet Offsetting [Member], USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gross Fair Value	$40,666
Counterparty Offsetting	13,904
Net Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	26,762
Counterparty A [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gross Fair Value	11,543
Counterparty Offsetting	5,862
Net Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	5,681
Counterparty B [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gross Fair Value	3,697
Counterparty Offsetting	1,140
Net Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	2,557
Counterparty C [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gross Fair Value	4,221
Counterparty Offsetting	1,422
Net Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	2,799
Counterparty D Member
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gross Fair Value	7,962
Counterparty Offsetting	2,760
Net Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	5,202
Counterparty E Member
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gross Fair Value	4,058
Counterparty Offsetting	1,343
Net Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	2,715
Counterparty F Member
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gross Fair Value	4,103
Counterparty Offsetting	1,377
Net Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	2,726
Counterparty G Member
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gross Fair Value	5,082
Counterparty Offsetting	0
Net Fair Value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets	$5,082

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul2

Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Volume of Forward Interest Rate Swaps Designated in Hedge Relationship (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	$3,339,000
Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	$3,339,000	$3,339,000

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul3

Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Series of Forward Starting Swaps Each with a Term of One Year (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	$3,339,000
Year 2015 [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	1,010,000
Year 2016 [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	697,000
Year 2017 [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	544,000
Year 2018 [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	544,000
Year 2019 [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	272,000
Year 2020 [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Notional balance of outstanding contracts	$272,000

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul4

Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Gain (Loss) Recognized on Forward Interest Rate Swaps Not Designated in Hedge Relationship (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gain on forward interest-rate swaps	$1,689	$0
Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Gain on forward interest-rate swaps	$1,689	$0

Derivative_Instruments_Schedul5

Derivative Instruments - Schedule of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Forward Interest Rate Swaps Designated in Hedging Relationship (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging, total	($15,636)	($8,547)	($9,187)	($9,781)
Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging, Gross	-11,734	-12,069	0
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging, Income tax (benefit)	-4,683	4,370	0
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging, total	($7,051)	($7,699)	$0

Warranty_Additional_Informatio

Warranty - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Mobile Computing Products [Member]
Product Warranty [Line Items]
Product warranty period	1 year
WLAN Products [Member]
Product Warranty [Line Items]
Product warranty period	1 year
Printers [Member]
Product Warranty [Line Items]
Product warranty period	1 year
Thermal Printheads [Member]
Product Warranty [Line Items]
Product warranty period	6 months
Batteries [Member]
Product Warranty [Line Items]
Product warranty period	1 year
Battery Based Products [Member]
Product Warranty [Line Items]
Product warranty period	90 days
Minimum [Member] | Advanced Data Capture Products [Member]
Product Warranty [Line Items]
Product warranty period	1 year
Maximum [Member] | Advanced Data Capture Products [Member]
Product Warranty [Line Items]
Product warranty period	5 years

Warranty_Summary_of_Accrued_Wa

Warranty - Summary of Accrued Warranty Obligation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]
Balance at the beginning of period	$24,666	$4,125
Warranty expense	8,652	1,510
Warranty payments	-6,405	-1,673
Balance at the end of period	$26,913	$3,962

LongTerm_Debt_Summary_of_Carry

Long-Term Debt - Summary of Carrying Value of Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current maturities of long-term debt	$0	$7,522
Long-term debt, less current maturities	3,144,177	3,182,962
Carry Value of Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior Notes	1,050,000	1,050,000
Term loan	2,150,000	2,200,000
Less unamortized discounts	-55,823	-59,516
Total outstanding debt	3,144,177	3,190,484
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	16,500
Less: current portion of unamortized discounts	0	-8,978
Total short-term debt	0	7,522
Long-term debt, less current maturities	$3,144,177	$3,182,962

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 15, 2014	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 15, 2015	Oct. 27, 2014	13-May-15	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of our long-term debt		3,300,000,000				$3,300,000,000
7.25 % Senior Notes Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Private offering aggregate principal amount	1,050,000,000
Interest rate on senior notes	7.25%
Effective interest rate of Senior Notes yielded	7.61%
Interest on the Senior Notes is payable description		Interest on the Senior Notes is payable in cash on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on April 15, 2015
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term loan				2,200,000,000
Interest rate variable				4.75%
Term loan interest rate		4.75%
Quarterly principal payments		5,500,000
Quarterly principal payment beginning date		31-Mar-19
Principal payment made at maturity		2,100,000,000
Debt instrument maturity date		27-Oct-21
Line of credit facility, principal prepayment			50,000,000
Term Loan [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, principal prepayment					30,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		0		250,000,000		0
Revolving credit facility maximum borrowing capacity		250,000,000
Letters of credit		3,100,000
Funds available for other borrowings		246,900,000
Revolving credit facility, maturity date		27-Oct-19
Revolving credit facility interest rate		3.25%

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Comput

Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Weighted average shares:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	50,667	50,402
Effect of dilutive securities outstanding	0	572
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	50,667	50,974
Basic per share amounts:
Net (loss) income	($25,297)	$41,606
Weighted average common shares outstanding	50,667	50,402
Per share amount	($0.50)	$0.83
Diluted per share amounts:
Net (loss) income	($25,297)	$41,606
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	50,667	50,974
Per share amount	($0.50)	$0.82

Earnings_Loss_Per_Share_Potent

Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Potentially Dilutive Securities Excluded from Earnings Per Share Calculation (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Potentially dilutive shares	0	0

EquityBased_Compensation_Addit

Equity-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-tax equity-based compensation expense recognized	$8.80	$3
Tax related benefits recognized	3.1	1
Stock issued during period, Shares, Share-based compensation	175,261	123,019
Total unearned compensation costs related to performance share awards	$45.70
Total unearned compensation costs amortization period	1 year 8 months 12 days
Expected weighted-average life	5 years 4 months 10 days	5 years 5 months 1 day
Maximum [Member] | Equity-Based Compensation [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	5 years
Stock Purchase Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected weighted-average life	3 months
Stock Purchase Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected weighted-average life	1 year

EquityBased_Compensation_Weigh

Equity-Based Compensation - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used for Grants of Stock Options and SARs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Forfeiture rate	10.32%	10.31%
Risk free interest rate, minimum	0.02%	0.02%
Risk free interest rate, maximum	2.61%	1.78%
Expected weighted-average life	5 years 4 months 10 days	5 years 5 months 1 day
Fair value of SARs granted	$70,234	$85,149
Weighted-average grant date fair value of SARs granted (per underlying share)	$28.82	$65.75
Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Volatility	34.92%	32.00%
Risk free interest rate	1.73%	0.82%

EquityBased_Compensation_Summa

Equity-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (Stock Option [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	415,960
Shares, Exercised	-133,981
Shares, Expired	-1,550
Shares, Outstanding at end of period	280,429
Shares, Exercisable at end of period	280,429
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at beginning of year	$40.19
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$44.36
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Expired	$51.62
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at end of period	$38.13
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable at end of period	$38.13
Intrinsic value of exercised options	$5,709,000
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, Outstanding	2 years 6 months
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, Exercisable	2 years 6 months
Aggregate intrinsic value, Outstanding	13,600,000
Aggregate intrinsic value, Exercisable	$13,600,000

EquityBased_Compensation_Summa1

Equity-Based Compensation - Summary of SARs Activity (Detail) (Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	1,292,142
Shares, Granted	2,437
Shares, Exercised	-32,159
Shares, Forfeited	-3,569
Shares, Outstanding at end of period	1,258,851
Shares, Exercisable at end of period	556,517
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at beginning of year	$42.20
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	$85.82
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$34.34
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited	$50.62
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding at end of period	$42.46
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable at end of period	$32.99
Intrinsic value of exercised SARs	$1,688,000
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, Outstanding	6 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, Exercisable	5 years 9 months 18 days
Aggregate intrinsic value, Outstanding	55,600,000
Aggregate intrinsic value, Exercisable	$29,900,000

EquityBased_Compensation_Summa2

Equity-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Awards [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	691,621
Shares, Granted	2,053
Shares, Released	-4,239
Shares, Forfeited	-12,437
Shares, Outstanding at end of period	676,998
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at beginning of year	$60.06
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$85.82
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Released	$42.56
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$71.82
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at end of period	$60.06

EquityBased_Compensation_Summa3

Equity-Based Compensation - Summary of Performance Share Award Activity (Detail) (Performance Share Awards [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Performance Share Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	374,180
Shares, Released	1,703
Shares, Forfeited	-3,530
Shares, Outstanding at end of period	372,353
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at beginning of year	$61.53
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Released	$85.82
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$73.07
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding at end of period	$61.53

EquityBased_Compensation_Summa4

Equity-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	41,964
Shares, Released	-34
Shares, Forfeited	-1,305
Shares, Outstanding at end of period	40,625

EquityBased_Compensation_Summa5

Equity-Based Compensation - Summary of Performance Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (Performance Stock Units [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Performance Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding at beginning of year	10,345
Shares, Forfeited	-680
Shares, Outstanding at end of period	9,665

EquityBased_Compensation_Weigh1

Equity-Based Compensation - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used for Employee Purchase Rights Granted Under Stock Purchase Plan (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair market value	77.41	54.08
Option price	73.54	51.38
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	23.00%	33.00%
Risk free interest rate	0.04%	0.07%

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	56.50%	22.30%
Income tax (benefit) expense	($32,866)	$11,939
Statutory tax rate	35.00%

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Com

Other Comprehensive Income - Components of Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	($8,233)	($8,006)	($6,521)	($7,839)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Gross (recognized in OCI)	0	121
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Income tax (benefit) (recognized in OCI)	0	29
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Net (recognized in OCI)	0	92
Foreign currency translation adjustment (recognized in OCI)	-1,712	-160
Total accumulated other comprehensive gains (losses) (recognized in OCI)	-12,221	1,323
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Gross (reclassified from AOCI to income)	-25	81
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Income tax (benefit) (reclassified from AOCI to income)	-9	25
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Net (reclassified from AOCI to income)	-16	56
Foreign currency translation adjustment (reclassified from AOCI to income)	0	-7
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (reclassified from AOCI to income)	5,132	-729
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Net (Subtotal)	1,690	613
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Gross (Subtotal)	-25	202
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Income tax (benefit) (Subtotal)	-9	54
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Net (Subtotal)	-16	148
Foreign currency translation adjustment (Subtotal)	-1,712	-167
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (Subtotal)	-7,089	594
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging, total	-15,636	-9,187	-8,547	-9,781
Anticipated Sales [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross (recognized in OCI)	-4,323	1,771
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit) (recognized in OCI)	-865	380
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Net (recognized in OCI)	-3,458	1,391
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross (reclassified from AOCI to income)	6,435	-991
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit) (reclassified from AOCI to income)	1,287	-213
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Net (reclassified from AOCI to income)	5,148	-778
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross (Subtotal)	2,112	780
Unrealized gains losses on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit) (Subtotal)	422	167
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Net (Subtotal)	1,690	613
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross	8,770	-1,593	6,658	-2,373
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit)	1,754	-342	1,332	-509
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging, total	7,016	-1,251	5,326	-1,864
Forward Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross (recognized in OCI)	-11,734
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit) (recognized in OCI)	-4,683
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Net (recognized in OCI)	-7,051
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross (reclassified from AOCI to income)	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit) (reclassified from AOCI to income)	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Net (reclassified from AOCI to income)	0
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross (Subtotal)	-11,734
Unrealized gains losses on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit) (Subtotal)	-4,683
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Net (Subtotal)	-7,051
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross	-11,734	0	-12,069
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit)	4,683	0	-4,370
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging, total	-7,051	0	-7,699
Investments [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Gross	77	51	102	-151
Unrealized gains (losses) on hedging transactions, Income tax (benefit)	-254	-19	-245	-73
Change in unrealized loss on forward interest rate swap hedging, total	$331	$70	$347	($78)

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2

Segment_Information_Segment_In

Segment Information - Segment Information by Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Net sales:
Net sales	$893,184	$288,268
Operating income (loss):
Operating income loss	19,774	53,408
Sales Revenue Segment [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	898,817	288,268
Operating income (loss):
Operating income loss	131,344	61,286
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	-5,633	0
Operating income (loss):
Operating income loss	-111,570	-7,878
Zebra Legacy [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	331,643	288,268
Operating income (loss):
Operating income loss	77,449	61,286
Enterprise Solutions [Member]
Net sales:
Net sales	567,174	0
Operating income (loss):
Operating income loss	$53,895	$0

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 15, 2015	13-May-15
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Tax charges expected	$32
Term Loan [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, principal prepayment		50
Subsequent Event [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, principal prepayment			$30