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Employee Benefit Plans (Benefit Obligations and Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Oct. 26, 2014
Oct. 27, 2013
Oct. 28, 2012
Change in projected benefit obligation      
Beginning projected benefit obligation $ 445us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation $ 434us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation  
Service cost 17us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost 20us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost 16us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost
Interest cost 17us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost 15us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost 14us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost
Plan participants’ contributions 1us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants 1us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants  
Actuarial (gain) loss 62us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss (16)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActuarialGainLoss  
Curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits (26)amat_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailmentsSettlementsAndSpecialTerminationBenefits (8)amat_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailmentsSettlementsAndSpecialTerminationBenefits  
Foreign currency exchange rate changes (22)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesBenefitObligation 10us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesBenefitObligation  
Benefits paid (12)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid (10)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid  
Plan amendments and business combinations (3)amat_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndPlanAmendmentBenefitObligation (1)amat_DefinedBenefitPlanBusinessCombinationsAndPlanAmendmentBenefitObligation  
Ending projected benefit obligation 479us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation 445us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation 434us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligation
Ending accumulated benefit obligation 446us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation 409us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedBenefitObligation  
Change in plan assets      
Beginning fair value of plan assets 248us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets 214us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets  
Return on plan assets 20us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets 18us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanActualReturnOnPlanAssets  
Employer contributions 48us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer 24us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer  
Plan participants’ contributions 1us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants 1us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByPlanParticipants  
Foreign currency exchange rate changes (11)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets 8us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanForeignCurrencyExchangeRateChangesPlanAssets  
Divestitures, settlements and business combinations (26)amat_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresSettlementsandBusinessCombinations (7)amat_DefinedBenefitPlanDivestituresSettlementsandBusinessCombinations  
Benefits paid (12)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid (10)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitsPaid  
Ending fair value of plan assets 268us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets 248us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets 214us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
Funded status (211)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan (197)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFundedStatusOfPlan  
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets      
Noncurrent asset 17us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent 9us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssetsForPlanBenefitsNoncurrent  
Current liability (3)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities (4)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansCurrentLiabilities  
Noncurrent liability (225)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent (202)us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent  
Total (211)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheet (197)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInBalanceSheet  
Estimated amortization from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year      
Actuarial loss 6us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss 4us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfGainLoss  
Prior service cost (credit) 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFutureAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit  
Total 6us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountToBeAmortizedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNextFiscalYear 4us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountToBeAmortizedFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNextFiscalYear  
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss      
Net actuarial loss 134us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesBeforeTax 91us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetGainsLossesBeforeTax  
Prior service cost (credit) (1)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax 2us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetPriorServiceCostCreditBeforeTax  
Total 133us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax 93us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTax  
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets      
Projected benefit obligation 326us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlansWithBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateBenefitObligation 438us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlansWithBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateBenefitObligation  
Fair value of plan assets 98us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlansWithBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateFairValueOfPlanAssets 233us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPlansWithBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateFairValueOfPlanAssets  
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets      
Accumulated benefit obligation 297us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateAccumulatedBenefitObligation 269us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateAccumulatedBenefitObligation  
Fair value of plan assets 98us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateFairValueOfPlanAssets 99us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateFairValueOfPlanAssets  
Equity securities [Member]      
Change in plan assets      
Beginning fair value of plan assets 92us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
   
Ending fair value of plan assets 104us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
92us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
 
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets      
Plan assets — allocation 39.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
37.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
 
Debt securities [Member]      
Change in plan assets      
Beginning fair value of plan assets 90us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
   
Ending fair value of plan assets 102us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
90us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
 
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets      
Plan assets — allocation 38.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
36.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
 
Insurance contracts [Member]      
Change in plan assets      
Beginning fair value of plan assets 47us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= amat_InsuranceContractsMember
   
Ending fair value of plan assets 41us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= amat_InsuranceContractsMember
47us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= amat_InsuranceContractsMember
 
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets      
Plan assets — allocation 15.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= amat_InsuranceContractsMember
19.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= amat_InsuranceContractsMember
 
Other Investments [Member]      
Change in plan assets      
Beginning fair value of plan assets 12us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
   
Ending fair value of plan assets 12us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
12us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
 
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets      
Plan assets — allocation 5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
5.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
 
Cash [Member]      
Change in plan assets      
Beginning fair value of plan assets 7us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashMember
   
Ending fair value of plan assets $ 9us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashMember
$ 7us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanFairValueOfPlanAssets
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashMember
 
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets      
Plan assets — allocation 3.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashMember
3.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanTargetPlanAssetAllocations
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis
= us-gaap_CashMember
 
Minimum [Member]      
Range of assumptions to determine benefit obligations      
Discount rate 1.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
1.10%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Rate of compensation increase 2.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
2.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
 
Maximum [Member]      
Range of assumptions to determine benefit obligations      
Discount rate 4.40%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
4.50%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
 
Rate of compensation increase 4.00%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
4.70%us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationRateOfCompensationIncrease
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember