Restructuring Charges and Asset Impairments (Details Textuals) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 25, 2009	Oct. 03, 2012 2012 Global Restructuring Plan [Member] Minimum [Member] positions	Oct. 03, 2012 2012 Global Restructuring Plan [Member] Maximum [Member] positions	Oct. 28, 2012 2012 Global Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	Oct. 30, 2011 2012 Global Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 2012 Global Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	Oct. 25, 2009 2012 Global Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	Oct. 03, 2012 2012 Global Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member] Minimum [Member]	Oct. 03, 2012 2012 Global Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member] Maximum [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member]	May 10, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Minimum [Member]	May 10, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Maximum [Member] positions	Oct. 28, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	Oct. 30, 2011 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	Oct. 25, 2009 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	May 10, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member] Maximum [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Asset Impairments [Member]	Oct. 30, 2011 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Asset Impairments [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Asset Impairments [Member]	May 10, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Asset Impairments [Member] Maximum [Member]	May 10, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Inventory-related Charges [Member] Maximum [Member]	May 10, 2012 2012 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Lease termination and Other Obligations [Member] Maximum [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 Varian Integration [Member] Severance and Other Employee-Related Costs [Member]	Oct. 30, 2011 2010 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Position	Oct. 31, 2010 2010 EES Restructuring Plan [Member]	Jul. 21, 2010 2010 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Minimum [Member] Position	Jul. 21, 2010 2010 EES Restructuring Plan [Member] Maximum [Member] Position	Oct. 30, 2011 2010 Global Restructuring Plan [Member]	Oct. 31, 2010 2010 Global Restructuring Plan [Member]	Nov. 12, 2008 Restructuring program - 2008 [Member] Position	Oct. 30, 2011 Restructuring program - 2008 [Member]
Restructuring and Asset Impairments (Textuals) [Abstract]
Reduction in Global Workforce (in positions)					900	1,300									250													200		400	500			2,000
Reduction in Global Workforce in percent					6.00%	9.00%
Expected restructuring charges											$ 180	$ 230		$ 70	$ 100					$ 40				$ 30	$ 15	$ 15
Restructuring charges							106	0	0				48			27	0	0			20	0	0				14		45				84
Term of restructuring plan (in months)														12 months	18 months
Favorable adjustment to restructuring reserves																												36				19			5
Inventory related charges													13																330
Assets impairment charges	3																												108
Impairment of properties	3	9
Restructuring reserve	11	104	133	31			106	0	0	0						16	0	0	0								5
Impairment charges	$ 24