The Mini model is a much higher performance verison of the typical "mini tanker" Many of my customers will "step-up" to the Mini model from a shortboard at heavily crowded spots without losing that shortboard ride and feel while others will "step-down" off a longboard to the Mini model to improve performance. 
If you want an easy to ride board with amazing paddling and a shortobard ride and feel, the Mini is the way to go