Special Charges - Restructuring Rollforward (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 03, 2012	Oct. 29, 2011	Oct. 30, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 3,876	$ 7,509	$ 15,020
Special charges	8,431	2,239	16,483
Severance payments	(8,931)	(5,265)	(17,560)
Facility closure costs	(186)	(611)	(5,839)
Non-cash impairment charge	(219)		(487)	(15,468)
Other payments			(24)
Effect of foreign currency on accrual	22	4	(84)
Ending balance	2,993	3,876	7,509	15,020
Closure of Wafer Fabrication Facility in Sunnyvale [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0	169
Special charges	0	0	375
Severance payments	0	0	0
Facility closure costs	0	0	(544)
Non-cash impairment charge	0		0	0
Other payments			0
Effect of foreign currency on accrual	0	0	0
Ending balance	0	0	0	169
Reduction of Operating Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3,876	5,546	8,161
Special charges	8,431	2,239	11,419
Severance payments	(8,931)	(3,913)	(12,223)
Facility closure costs	(186)	0	(1,216)
Non-cash impairment charge	(219)		(487)	(839)
Other payments			(24)
Effect of foreign currency on accrual	22	4	(84)
Ending balance	2,993	3,876	5,546	8,161
Closure of a Wafer Fabrication Facility in Cambridge [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	1,963	6,690
Special charges	0	0	4,689
Severance payments	0	(1,352)	(5,337)
Facility closure costs	0	(611)	(4,079)
Non-cash impairment charge	0		0	(14,629)
Other payments			0
Effect of foreign currency on accrual	0	0	0
Ending balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,963	$ 6,690