Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Details Textual)	9 Months Ended
Jul. 29, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Textual) [Abstract]
Time period for hedging of foreign currency transactions	24 months
Time period over which majority of after tax gain loss related to derivatives to be reclassified into earnings	12 months

Time period over which majority of after tax gain loss related to derivatives to be reclassified into earnings.

No definition available.

Name:	amat_TimePeriodOverWhichMajorityOfAfterTaxGainLossRelatedToDerivativesToBeReclassifiedIntoEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration