Balance Sheet Detail (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 25, 2015	Oct. 26, 2014
Inventories
Customer service spares	318	$ 316
Raw materials	411	405
Work-in-process	341	316
Finished goods	571	530
Total Inventories	1,641	1,567
Inventory at customer locations included in finished goods	116	104
Evaluation inventory	202	164
Other Current Assets
Deferred income taxes, net	216	232
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable	82	79
Prepaid expenses and other	327	257
Total Other Current Assets	625	568
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	2,927	2,848
Accumulated depreciation	(2,063)	(1,987)
Net property, plant and equipment	864	861
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable	650	613
Compensation and employee benefits	356	524
Warranty	119	113
Dividends payable	123	122
Income taxes payable	44	142
Other accrued taxes	47	51
Interest payable	14	30
Other	384	288
Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	1,737	1,883
Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue
Customer deposits	180	286
Deferred revenue	604	654
Total Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue	784	940
Other Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	23	32
Income taxes payable	244	225
Defined and postretirement benefit plans	198	208
Other	68	71
Total Other Liabilities	533	536
Land and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	161	156
Building and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	1,268	1,227
Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	867	829
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	588	575
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	43	$ 61
Minimum [Member] | Building and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life	3 years
Maximum [Member] | Building and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life	30 years
Maximum [Member] | Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, useful life	15 years