Balance Sheet Detail (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2015	Oct. 26, 2014
Inventories
Customer service spares	331	$ 316
Raw materials	434	405
Work-in-process	325	316
Finished goods	623	530
Total Inventories	1,713	1,567
Inventory at customer locations included in finished goods	129	104
Evaluation inventory	190	164
Other Current Assets
Deferred income taxes, net	220	232
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable	157	79
Prepaid expenses and other	329	257
Total Other Current Assets	706	568
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	2,989	2,848
Accumulated depreciation	(2,102)	(1,987)
Net property, plant and equipment	887	861
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable	647	613
Compensation and employee benefits	412	524
Warranty	123	113
Dividends payable	123	122
Income taxes payable	48	142
Other accrued taxes	42	51
Interest payable	30	30
Other	397	288
Total Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	1,822	1,883
Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue
Customer deposits	179	286
Deferred revenue	695	654
Total Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue	874	940
Other Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	16	32
Income taxes payable	223	225
Defined and postretirement benefit plans	250	208
Other	104	71
Total Other Liabilities	593	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	1,271	1,227
Demonstration and manufacturing equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	900	829
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	601	575
Construction in progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Gross property, plant and equipment	56	$ 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