Hi
First point, yes the Crack Laser is awesome. It combines insane roll rate with precise control. Unmatched for someone looking for those characteristics combined with the reliability you mentioned.
Have a depron Spies by Donatas Designs. Slow, floaty precise and very slow downlines. So, agree on liking the feel of those type planes. We broke that thing a couple times just transporting it. So, yup.
Yes, you could say the Inferno is a middle ground between those two.
Next point, the foam is thinner on the entire Inferno. It is lighter for the hardware as well.
Flight characteristics. The Laser has more authority due to the weight and the velocity it is capable of. A pilot will want to take advantage of what it does well. The Inferno has the slower downline, floaty feel and yet it is durable. You can drag the rudder on the Inferno and won't suffer any damage, so, way better than depron. The Inferno has more drag on the large but super lite surfaces. So, it rolls slower yet you are offered a very agile feel which gives you more time to think sometimes. I think the inferno has the capability to fly slower and you may want to take advantage of that for certain types of flight. I would not consider the plane to be fragile. In light wind (0-5), you're fine.
Let me know if this helps or if any other thoughts come up.