Balance Sheet Detail (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Inventories
Customer service spares	$ 312	$ 328
Raw materials	331	407
Work-in-process	234	336
Finished goods	395	630
Total Inventories	1,272	1,701
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Land and improvements	169	163
Buildings and improvements	1,196	1,155
Demonstration and manufacturing equipment	760	686
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment	734	722
Construction in progress	58	12
Gross property, plant and equipment	2,917	2,738
Accumulated depreciation	(2,007)	(1,872)
Net property, plant and equipment	910	866
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable	396	484
Compensation and employee benefits	426	455
Warranty	119	168
Dividends payable	108	104
Other accrued taxes	18	81
Interest payable	30	31
Restructuring reserve	133	11
Other	206	186
Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	1,436	1,520
Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue
Customer deposits	143	249
Deferred revenue	612	867
Total Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue	755	1,116
Balance Sheet Detail (Textuals) [Abstract]
Inventory at customer locations included in finished goods	60	224
Evaluation inventory	176	140
Proceeds from sale of property	0	130	0
Gain incurred on sale of property	0	27	0
Proceeds on sale of certain assets held for sale		31
Untendered shares obligation	12
North America [Member]
Balance Sheet Detail (Textuals) [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of property		99
Number of properties sold		2
Gain incurred on sale of property		27
Building and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life, minimum	3
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life, maximum	30
Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life, minimum	3
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life, maximum	5
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life, minimum	3
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life, maximum	15
2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member]
Balance Sheet Detail (Textuals) [Abstract]
Fixed asset impairment charges	$ 20