Industry Segment Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2012	Jul. 29, 2012	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 29, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	May 01, 2011	Jan. 30, 2011	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales	$ 1,646	$ 2,343	$ 2,541	$ 2,189	$ 2,182	$ 2,787	$ 2,862	$ 2,686	$ 8,719	$ 10,517	$ 9,549
Operating income (loss)									411	2,398	1,384
Depreciation/Amortization									422	246	305
Capital Expenditures									162	209	169
Segment Assets	12,102				13,861				12,102	13,861
Silicon Systems Group [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									5,536	5,415	5,304
Operating income (loss)									1,243	1,764	1,892
Depreciation/Amortization									256	52	66
Capital Expenditures									71	59	39
Segment Assets	5,106				2,036				5,106	2,036	2,317
Applied Global Services [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									2,285	2,413	1,865
Operating income (loss)									502	482	337
Depreciation/Amortization									17	13	25
Capital Expenditures									8	7	5
Segment Assets	2,035				1,337				2,035	1,337	1,285
Display [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									473	699	899
Operating income (loss)									25	147	267
Depreciation/Amortization									8	7	8
Capital Expenditures									1	31	5
Segment Assets	278				459				278	459	419
Energy and Environmental Solutions [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									425	1,990	1,481
Operating income (loss)									(668)	453	(466)
Depreciation/Amortization									38	34	57
Capital Expenditures									6	16	41
Segment Assets	513				1,438				513	1,438	1,402
Operating Segments [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									8,719	10,517	9,549
Operating income (loss)									1,102	2,846	2,030
Depreciation/Amortization									319	106	156
Capital Expenditures									86	113	90
Segment Assets	$ 7,932				$ 5,270				$ 7,932	$ 5,270	$ 5,423