A qubit or fluorometer isn't required. You can use a simple DNA ladder to measure the relative quantity and quality of DNA that's good enough for nanopore sequencing. I just did a full genome sequence of a novel fungus using this exact approach.
I did a HMW extraction kit on the DNA and used a gel to estimate the volume of HMW DNA. Yes, you need to be able to run a gel, but I'm not sure what the expectation is from folks; that you just place a random piece of non-sterile tissue on a chip and have it do the extraction, sequencing and assembly? That seems like an unrealistic expectation.
They do work on an extraction flowcell that can be added on top. I’m hoping they can make it as easy as adding sample to a well, at least for blood or saliva.
You can get a usable partial genome at home using a minion (provided you have access to basic lab equipment and consumables, like pipettes, a microcentrifuge, gel electrophoresis kit) for about $2.5k, and a fairly decent one for $5k (about 22x coverage - not perfect but plenty for most purposes).
