Disadvantages
- Mechanically bulky connectors and cables
- Lack of command protocol standards (before SCPI)
- Implementation options (e.g. end of transmission handling) can complicate interoperability in pre-IEEE-488.2 devices
- No mandatory galvanic isolation between bus and devices
- High cost (compared to RS-232/USB/Firewire/Ethernet)
- Limited availability (again compared to RS-232/USB/Firewire/Ethernet)
Read more about this topic: IEEE-488, Advantages and Disadvantages