Intangible Assets Including Goodwill - Intangible Assets Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
12 Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2019 |
Dec. 31, 2018 |
|
| Intangible assets | ||
| Intangible assets, increase (decrease) | $ 12,147 | |
| Impairment of intangible assets | 0 | $ 0 |
| Intangible asset amortization expense | 1,850 | 1,353 |
| Retirement of fully amortized intangible assets | 946 | $ 1,469 |
| Divested businesses | ||
| Intangible assets | ||
| Intangible assets, increase (decrease) | (335) | |
| Accumulated amortization, increase (decrease) | (260) | |
| Red Hat, Inc. | ||
| Intangible assets | ||
| Intangible assets acquired | 13,472 | |
| Red Hat, Inc. | Cloud & Cognitive Software | ||
| Intangible assets | ||
| Intangible assets acquired | 10,729 | |
| Red Hat, Inc. | Global Technology Services | ||
| Intangible assets | ||
| Intangible assets acquired | 1,819 | |
| Red Hat, Inc. | Global Business Services | ||
| Intangible assets | ||
| Intangible assets acquired | 617 | |
| Red Hat, Inc. | Systems | ||
| Intangible assets | ||
| Intangible assets acquired | $ 306 | |