The internet is not the only place to buy things. It's also not strictly necessary to buy a computer solely to access the internet. For instance, you could ask your neighbour if you could use theirs for an hour or two or go use one at the local library. Especially if it's just to book a, what seems to be, very important trip while you're dying of cancer.

EDIT: Grammar

He clearly told his son about it.

And it's take not much more effort to order a laptop than to comment about it on HN.