Is There Even A Difference?

I would say a cross bike would be the ideal for commute/multi-role for the scenario you list. The nice thing with your cross bike is you can chose tread tires or road tires virtually at will.

The more operative question though is why are you looking for a different bike?

+1, A cyclocross bike is perfect for what you describe.

Is your Scattante a cyclocross bike with dropped road style bars, 700c wheels and a multigear (e.g. 8,9,10 speed rear with double or triple front chainrings) drive train? If so you've already got the ideal bike for general commuting and long distance riding. Just mount up some smooth road tires and a bike like that will go plenty fast and be very good for long days in the saddle including century rides. A good cyclocross bike is just slightly more relaxed in its geometry than a road racing bike and the only real functional difference is typically cantilever brakes which have plenty of stopping power but lack some of the finesse and modulation capabilities of good road brakes but they do allow the use of very large tires like 700x35c or larger smooth or knobby tires which is huge compared to most road bikes where tires that large wouldn't fit due to caliper brakes and narrower forks and rear triangles.

If your 'cross bike' is something along the lines of an upright hybrid bike with flat bars and just a few gear choices then yes an upgrade to either a road or cross bike would make sense. Lot's of great brands out there but the key thing is getting a good fit and buying a bike you really like within your price range more than one brand vs another.

-Dave