Consolidated Variable Interest Entities - Assets & Liabilities (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
May 30, 2013
Aug. 30, 2012
May 31, 2012
Sep. 01, 2011
Assets        
Cash and equivalents $ 2,440 $ 2,459 $ 2,191 $ 2,160
Receivables 1,503 1,289    
Inventories 1,732 1,812    
Other current assets 99 98    
Total current assets 5,886 5,758    
Property, plant and equipment, net 6,830 7,103    
Other noncurrent assets 389 333    
Total assets 14,055 14,328    
Liabilities        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,590 1,641    
Deferred income 223 248    
Equipment purchase contracts 172 130    
Current portion of long-term debt 357 224    
Total current liabilities 2,342 2,243    
Long-term debt 3,267 3,038    
Other noncurrent liabilities 420 630    
Total liabilities 6,029 5,911    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | IM Flash Technologies, LLC [Member]
        
Assets        
Cash and equivalents 62 157    
Receivables 58 78    
Inventories 61 67    
Other current assets 3 5    
Total current assets 184 307    
Property, plant and equipment, net 1,401 1,342    
Other noncurrent assets 45 36    
Total assets 1,630 1,685    
Liabilities        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 82 104    
Deferred income 9 10    
Equipment purchase contracts 76 58    
Current portion of long-term debt 6 6    
Total current liabilities 173 178    
Long-term debt 14 18    
Other noncurrent liabilities 120 129    
Total liabilities 307 325    
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | MP Mask Technology Center, LLC [Member]
        
Assets        
Total current assets 29 19    
Noncurrent assets (primarily property, plant and equipment) 188 170    
Liabilities        
Total current liabilities $ 33 $ 12