v2.4.1.9
Organization and description of business (Schedule of Net Assets of SGOCO (Fujian) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sale of SGOCO (Fujian) [Line Items]    
Receivable from sale of a subsidiary $ 91,379sgoc_ReceivableFromSaleOfASubsidiaryCurrent   
SGOCO Fujian [Member]    
Sale of SGOCO (Fujian) [Line Items]    
Cash 25us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCash
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Accounts receivable, trade 32,340us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNet
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Other receivables 168sgoc_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherReceivables
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Inventories 4,955us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInventory1
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Advances to suppliers 75,554sgoc_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAdvancesToSuppliers
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Other current assets 2,108us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherCurrentAssets
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Plant and equipment, net 132us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipment
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Short-term loan (4,086)sgoc_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationShortTermLoan
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Accounts payable, trade (16,259)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayable
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Amounts due to SGOCO and other group entities (80,404)sgoc_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAmountsDueToEntities
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Other payables and accrued liabilities (2,397)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Customer deposits (595)sgoc_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCustomerDeposits
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Taxes payable (249)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccruedIncomeTaxPayable
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Deferred tax liabilities (317)us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDeferredTaxLiabilities
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Net assets as of December 31, 2014 (date of disposal) 10,975sgoc_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNetAssetsLiabilitiesOfDisposalGroup
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Consideration receivable 10,975us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Amounts due to SGOCO and other group entities 80,404sgoc_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAmountsDueToEntities
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember
 
Receivable from sale of a subsidiary $ 91,379sgoc_ReceivableFromSaleOfASubsidiaryCurrent
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= sgoc_SgocoFujianMember