Goodwill, Purchased Technology and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	$ 2,104	$ 2,104
Accumulated amortization	(944)	(891)
Carrying amount	1,160	1,213
Silicon Systems Group [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	1,552	1,552
Accumulated amortization	(491)	(447)
Applied Global Services [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	72	72
Accumulated amortization	(62)	(61)
Display [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	143	143
Accumulated amortization	(135)	(133)
Energy and Environmental Solutions [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	337	337
Accumulated amortization	(256)	(250)
Purchased Technology [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	1,543	1,543
Accumulated amortization	(640)	(598)
Carrying amount	903	945
Purchased Technology [Member] | Silicon Systems Group [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	1,300	1,300
Accumulated amortization	(449)	(411)
Purchased Technology [Member] | Applied Global Services [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	28	28
Accumulated amortization	(22)	(22)
Purchased Technology [Member] | Display [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	110	110
Accumulated amortization	(107)	(106)
Purchased Technology [Member] | Energy and Environmental Solutions [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	105	105
Accumulated amortization	(62)	(59)
Other [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	561	561
Accumulated amortization	(304)	(293)
Carrying amount	257	268
Other [Member] | Silicon Systems Group [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	252	252
Accumulated amortization	(42)	(36)
Other [Member] | Applied Global Services [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	44	44
Accumulated amortization	(40)	(39)
Other [Member] | Display [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	33	33
Accumulated amortization	(28)	(27)
Other [Member] | Energy and Environmental Solutions [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Gross carrying amount	232	232
Accumulated amortization	$ (194)	$ (191)