Industry Segment Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 27, 2013	Jul. 28, 2013	Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Jul. 29, 2012	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 29, 2012	Oct. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales	$ 1,988	$ 1,975	$ 1,973	$ 1,573	$ 1,646	$ 2,343	$ 2,541	$ 2,189	$ 7,509	$ 8,719	$ 10,517
Operating Income (Loss)									432	411	2,398
Depreciation/Amortization									410	422	246
Capital Expenditures									197	162	209
Segment Assets	12,043				12,102				12,043	12,102
Operating Segments [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									7,509	8,719	10,517
Operating Income (Loss)									953	1,102	2,846
Depreciation/Amortization									303	319	106
Capital Expenditures									132	86	113
Segment Assets	7,959				7,932				7,959	7,932	5,270
Operating Segments [Member] | Silicon Systems Group [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									4,775	5,536	5,415
Operating Income (Loss)									876	1,243	1,764
Depreciation/Amortization									260	256	52
Capital Expenditures									118	71	59
Segment Assets	5,525				5,106				5,525	5,106	2,036
Operating Segments [Member] | Applied Global Services [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									2,023	2,285	2,413
Operating Income (Loss)									436	502	482
Depreciation/Amortization									13	17	13
Capital Expenditures									7	8	7
Segment Assets	1,958				2,035				1,958	2,035	1,337
Operating Segments [Member] | Display [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									538	473	699
Operating Income (Loss)									74	25	147
Depreciation/Amortization									8	8	7
Capital Expenditures									6	1	31
Segment Assets	293				278				293	278	459
Operating Segments [Member] | Energy and Environmental Solutions [Member]
Net sales and operating income (loss) for each reportable segment
Net Sales									173	425	1,990
Operating Income (Loss)									(433)	(668)	453
Depreciation/Amortization									22	38	34
Capital Expenditures									1	6	16
Segment Assets	$ 183				$ 513				$ 183	$ 513	$ 1,438