Deferred Compensation, Number of Unfunded Plans

No definition available.

Name:	amat_DeferredCompensationNumberofUnfundedPlans
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined benefit plan matching contribution vesting percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_DefinedBenefitPlanMatchingContributionVestingPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined bonus plan cost recognized.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_DefinedBonusPlanCostRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined benefit plan employer contribution forfeitures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay, Second Tier

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentofEmployeesGrossPaySecondTier
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match, Second Tier

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercentofMatchSecondTier
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Details

Name:	amat_EmployeeSavingsandRetirementPlanAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Minimum Age Limit for Medical and Vision Benefits

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_PensionandOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansMinimumAgeLimitforMedicalandVisionBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Minimum age limit for postretirement medical plans with prescription drug benefits.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amat_PensionandOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansMinimumAgePlusYearsofServiceLimitforMedicalandVisionBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	amat_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementsAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements payable beyond one year (or the operating cycle, if longer).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCompensationLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan during the next fiscal year beginning after the date of the latest statement of financial position.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361610&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of discretionary contributions made by an employer to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage of employees' gross pay for which the employer contributes a matching contribution to a defined contribution plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Percentage employer matches of the employee's percentage contribution matched.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

This represents the noncurrent liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361610&loc=d3e2417-114920

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361610&loc=d3e2410-114920

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361610&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=amat_SavingsandRetirementPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 28, 2013	Oct. 26, 2014	Oct. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012
Employee Bonus Plans
Charges to expense under Employee bonus plans		$ 290amat_DefinedBonusPlanCostRecognized	$ 269amat_DefinedBonusPlanCostRecognized	$ 271amat_DefinedBonusPlanCostRecognized
Defined Benefit Pension Plans of Foreign Subsidiaries and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
Liability under U.S. post retirement plan		225	202
Estimated company contributions to pension plans and the post-retirement plan for fiscal 2015		9
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans
Number of unfunded plans		2
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans [Member]
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans
Amounts payable under EDCP		40	49
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans [Member] \| Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses [Member]
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans
Amounts payable under EDCP		35
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans [Member] \| Other Liabilities [Member]
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans
Amounts payable under EDCP		5
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Pension Plans of Foreign Subsidiaries and Other Post-Retirement Benefits
Minimum age limit for medical and vision benefits		55 years
Minimum years of service plus ages for medical and vision benefits		65 years
Liability under U.S. post retirement plan		34	34
Savings and Retirement Plan [Member]
Employee Savings and Retirement Plan
Employer matching contribution, percent of match		100.00%
Employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay		3.00%
Employer matching contribution, percent of match, second tier		50.00%
Percentage vested in matching contribution account for participants employed after January 1, 2010		100.00%
Contribution under Employee Savings and Retirement Plan	29	29		37
Contributions under Employee Savings and Retirement Plan - forfeitures		$ 1	$ 1
Savings and Retirement Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Employee Savings and Retirement Plan
Employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay, second tier		4.00%
Savings and Retirement Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Employee Savings and Retirement Plan
Employer matching contribution, percent of employees' gross pay, second tier		6.00%