Balance Sheet Detail (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			6 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Apr. 28, 2013 Minimum [Member] Building and improvements [Member]	Apr. 28, 2013 Minimum [Member] Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Apr. 28, 2013 Minimum [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]	Apr. 28, 2013 Maximum [Member] Building and improvements [Member]	Apr. 28, 2013 Maximum [Member] Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Apr. 28, 2013 Maximum [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]
Inventories
Customer service spares	$ 278	$ 312
Raw materials	311	331
Work-in-process	248	234
Finished goods	481	395
Total Inventories	1,318	1,272
Balance Sheet Detail (Textuals) [Abstract]
Inventory at customer locations included in finished goods	123	60
Evaluation inventory	173	176
Other Current Assets
Deferred income taxes, net	398	369
Prepaid expenses	110	101
Income taxes receivable	52	87
Other	190	116
Total Other Current Assets	750	673
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life (in years)			3 years	3 years	3 years	30 years	5 years	15 years
Land and improvements	168	169
Buildings and improvements	1,208	1,196
Demonstration and manufacturing equipment	797	760
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment	602	734
Construction in progress	47	58
Gross property, plant and equipment	2,822	2,917
Accumulated depreciation	(1,936)	(2,007)
Net property, plant and equipment	886	910
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable	531	396
Compensation and employee benefits	362	426
Warranty	104	119
Dividends payable	120	108
Income taxes payable	60	74
Other accrued taxes	20	18
Interest payable	30	30
Restructuring reserve	25	133
Other	210	206
Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	1,462	1,510
Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue
Customer deposits	150	143
Deferred revenue	589	612
Total Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue	739	755
Other Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	152	201
Income taxes payable	147	140
Defined benefit pension plan liability	190	184
Other	161	131
Total Other Liabilities	$ 650	$ 656