Property and equipment, net (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011		Oct. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	$ 3,888		$ 3,633
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	2,228		2,063
Property and equipment, net	1,660		1,570
Buildings, machinery, and equipment under financing arrangements and capital lease obligations	156		100
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	86		71
Assets under financing arrangements and capital lease obligations, net	70		29
Depreciation	248		260		236
Amortization	4		1		2
Interest Costs Capitalized	9		18		4
Commitments For Capital Expenditures In Progress	48		44		24
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	29		22		14
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	63		54		57
Operating Leases, Income Statement, Sublease Revenue					4
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	69
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due Current	127
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	58
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due in Two Years	83
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	29
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	54
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	9
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	50
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due in Three Years	59
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	9
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	42
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due in Four Years	51
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	9
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	37
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due in Five Years	46
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	39
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	125
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due Thereafter	164
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	164
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	366
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due	530
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Interest Included in Payments	24
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Present Value of Net Minimum Payments	140
World Headquarters Site In Lisle, Illinois [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Area of Real Estate Property	1,200,000
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	79		52
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	520		387
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	81		71
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	244		214
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	2,504		2,309
Equipment Leased to Other Party [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	301		291
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	94		103
Property and equipment, net	207		188
Depreciation	46		38		51
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment, at cost	$ 159	[1]	$ 309	[1]

[1] We consolidated our executive management, certain business operations, and product development into a 1.2 million square foot, world headquarters site in Lisle, Illinois, which we completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, and we are consolidating our testing and validation center in our Melrose Park facility, which we expect to complete in 2013. Construction in progress includes amounts related to this activity.