Thanks for the responses and info! What i'm searching for is pretty simple but the quest to find it doesn't always come with all the answers. So, thanks for your patience.
What I need is a replacement for my GuitarPort that does essentially the same thing only not quite so cumbersome. I've looked at other brands such as the iRig UA that allows some degree of independence whereas it can be used on its own or plugged into the PC.
Another concern is how I can listen to the output of the device. In other words, my PC currently has bluetooth capabilities to which I have connected some nice bluetooth headphones. However, my fear is that if I connect the GuitarPort or the POD Studio UX1 or UX2 that it will require I go back to plugin style headphones and also have to permanently have the device wired to the PC.
But, if push comes to shove, I just want to play my guitar and need a device that allows me to do that since I don't have an amplifier.