Balance Sheet Detail (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified													6 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2014	Oct. 27, 2013	Apr. 27, 2014 Land and improvements [Member]	Oct. 27, 2013 Land and improvements [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Building and improvements [Member]	Oct. 27, 2013 Building and improvements [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Oct. 27, 2013 Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]	Oct. 27, 2013 Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Construction in progress [Member]	Oct. 27, 2013 Construction in progress [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Minimum [Member] Building and improvements [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Minimum [Member] Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Minimum [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Maximum [Member] Building and improvements [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Maximum [Member] Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]	Apr. 27, 2014 Maximum [Member] Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]
Inventories
Customer service spares	$ 285	$ 274
Raw materials	379	325
Work-in-process	240	283
Finished goods	660	531
Total Inventories	1,564	1,413
Balance Sheet Detail (Textuals) [Abstract]
Inventory at customer locations included in finished goods	204	136
Evaluation inventory	184	177
Other Current Assets
Deferred income taxes, net	318	323
Prepaid expenses	164	135
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable	72	178
Other	69	69
Total Other Current Assets	623	705
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	2,813	2,817	167	167	1,234	1,217	818	792	548	589	46	52
Accumulated depreciation	(1,958)	(1,967)
Net property, plant and equipment	855	850
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable	606	582
Compensation and employee benefits	414	417
Warranty	109	102
Dividends payable	122	121
Income taxes payable	94	73
Other accrued taxes	40	41
Interest payable	30	30
Restructuring reserve	15	39
Other	233	244
Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	1,663	1,649
Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue
Customer deposits	152	175
Deferred revenue	847	619
Total Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue	999	794
Other Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	65	71
Income taxes payable	132	174
Defined and postretirement benefit plans	198	193
Other	76	128
Total Other Liabilities	$ 471	$ 566