Additional performance-based awards to be earned, upon certain levels of achievement.

No definition available.

Name:	amat_AdditionalPerformanceBasedAwardsToBeEarnedUponCertainLevelsOfAchievement
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Employee service share based compensation tax benefit realized from other than stock option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromOtherThanStockOption
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), Purchase Period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanESPPPurchasePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of employee stock purchase plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_EmployeeStockPurchasePlansNumbers
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Conversion Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardConversionRatio
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	amat_StockholdersEquityComprehensiveIncomeAndShareBasedCompensationTextualsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted Average Estimated Fair Value Of Purchase Rights Under ESPP.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_WeightedAverageEstimatedFairValueOfPurchaseRightsUnderEspp
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of paid and unpaid common stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (i-k)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=SL7669646-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of tax (expense) benefit, after reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (i-k)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=SL7669646-108580

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Purchase price of common stock expressed as a percentage of its fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares issued during the period as a result of an employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of a stock repurchase plan authorized by an entity's Board of Directors.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period which shares may be purchased under a stock repurchase plan authorized by an entity's Board of Directors, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramPeriodInForce1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount remaining of a stock repurchase plan authorized by an entity's Board of Directors.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Stockholders' Equity, Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Details Textuals) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2013	Mar. 05, 2012	Oct. 27, 2013 Plan	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 1,600,000,000
Authorized amount		3,000,000,000
Period in force		3 years
Change in defined benefit plan liability			18,000,000
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax			7,000,000
Dividend declared, amount			469,000,000	438,000,000	408,000,000
Number of employee stock purchase plans			2
Options granted			1	5	0
Additional performance-based awards to be earned upon certain levels of achievement	2		2
Number of shares issued under the ESPP			7	7	6
First Quarter Dividend [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Cash dividend declared			$ 0.09	$ 0.08	$ 0.07
Second Quarter Dividend [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Cash dividend declared			$ 0.10	$ 0.09	$ 0.08
Third Quarter Dividend [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Cash dividend declared			$ 0.10	$ 0.09	$ 0.08
Fourth Quarter Dividend [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Cash dividend declared			$ 0.10	$ 0.09	$ 0.08
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of shares available for grant	40		40
Purchase price of common stock, percent			85.00%
Purchase period			6-month
Weighted average estimated fair value of purchase rights under ESPP			$ 3.08	$ 2.73	$ 3.03
Employee Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Total unrecognized compensation expense	250,000,000		250,000,000
Weighted average period for unrecognized compensation expense to be recognized			2 years 4 months 24 days
Number of shares available for grant	183		183
Stock Options [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Stock options scheduled to expire			7 years
Stock Options [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Stock options scheduled to be vested			3 years
Stock Options [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Stock options scheduled to be vested			4 years
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Tax benefit realized			$ 42,000,000	$ 27,000,000	$ 22,000,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Award conversion ratio to common stock			1
Performance Shares/Performance Units [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Award conversion ratio to common stock			1
Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and Performance Units [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Stock options scheduled to be vested			4 years
Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and Performance Units [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Certain Executive Officers [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Stock options scheduled to be vested			3 years
Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and Performance Units [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Certain Executive Officers [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation (Textuals) [Abstract]
Stock options scheduled to be vested			4 years