Balance Sheet Detail (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified													9 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Jul. 28, 2013 Land and improvements [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 Land and improvements [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Building and improvements [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 Building and improvements [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Construction in progress [Member]	Oct. 28, 2012 Construction in progress [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Minimum [Member] Building and improvements [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Minimum [Member] Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Minimum [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Maximum [Member] Building and improvements [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Maximum [Member] Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Jul. 28, 2013 Maximum [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]
Inventories
Customer service spares	$ 270	$ 312
Raw materials	311	331
Work-in-process	267	234
Finished goods	510	395
Total Inventories	1,358	1,272
Balance Sheet Detail (Textuals) [Abstract]
Inventory at customer locations included in finished goods	128	60
Evaluation inventory	175	176
Other Current Assets
Deferred income taxes, net	431	369
Prepaid expenses	127	101
Income taxes receivable	30	87
Other	146	116
Total Other Current Assets	734	673
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life													3 years	3 years	3 years	30 years	5 years	15 years
Gross property, plant and equipment	2,826	2,917	167	169	1,210	1,196	787	760	607	734	55	58
Accumulated depreciation	(1,954)	(2,007)
Net property, plant and equipment	872	910
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable	515	396
Compensation and employee benefits	394	426
Warranty	100	119
Dividends payable	120	108
Income taxes payable	44	74
Other accrued taxes	28	18
Interest payable	14	30
Restructuring reserve	17	133
Other	214	206
Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	1,446	1,510
Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue
Customer deposits	145	143
Deferred revenue	611	612
Total Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue	756	755
Other Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	146	201
Income taxes payable	153	140
Defined benefit pension plan liability	190	184
Other	160	131
Total Other Liabilities	$ 649	$ 656