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Goodwill, Purchased Technology and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Oct. 26, 2014
Oct. 27, 2013
Oct. 28, 2012
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Change in gross carrying amount of the amortized intangible assets $ (5)amat_IncreaseDecreaseinIntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill    
Energy and Environmental Solutions [Member]      
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Impairment of goodwill   224us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= amat_EnergyAndEnvironmentalSolutionsMember
421us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= amat_EnergyAndEnvironmentalSolutionsMember
Accumulated goodwill impairment 645us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= amat_EnergyAndEnvironmentalSolutionsMember
   
Impairment of intangible assets (excluding goodwill)   $ 54us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= amat_EnergyAndEnvironmentalSolutionsMember
 
Minimum [Member]      
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Useful Life 1 year    
Maximum [Member]      
Schedule of Goodwill and Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Useful Life 15 years